Tesla's October 15 reveal of the updated Roadster showcased thruster-assisted jumps, flips and stabilization maneuvers powered by two high-pressure air tanks and ten nozzles. The company says the tanks can self-refill, but the full thruster system is limited to the top 'Rocket' trim, and Tesla states the thrusters are not approved for public road use. Similar thruster-based stabilization concepts have existed since the early 2000s in missile defense systems like Lockheed Martin's Multiple Kill Vehicle, developed under a 2004 Missile Defense Agency contract.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-16
Admiral Daryl Caudle, the U.S. Navy's top officer, described a vision for equipping ships across the fleet with directed-energy weapons. He said the lasers could supplement missile defenses, reduce the cost of shooting down incoming threats, and eventually scale up to megawatt-class power levels.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-23
Defense contractor RTX has entered a collaboration with fusion energy startup Xcimer Energy to explore applications of laser fusion technology, an approach with roots in Cold War-era research. The partnership aims to investigate whether high-powered laser systems originally developed for energy generation could be adapted for defense purposes, including countering missiles and drones.
wsj.com
· 2026-09-10
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