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Using directed energy to down aerial threats promises to revolutionize the business of air defense.

The move is meant to demonstrate France's commitment to the alliance and to get familiar with NATO command-and-control mechanisms.

The Navy is investing in unmanned systems — on the water, as well as above and below it — to augment existing and near-future firepower.

All three areas face similar challenges, such as a lack of output at key suppliers, which prevents prime contractors from increasing deliveries.

The defense ministry has abruptly withdrawn a $273 million funding request to parliament for three Blue Whale drones, made by Elta Systems.

"We are in demand, more in demand than we’ve ever been, and that will continue to increase," Vice Adm. Kelly Aeschbach said at the Sea-Air-Space confab.

The needs are perhaps most clear for the Navy, and yet even for that service, the technology — and the path to using it more widely — is still maturing.

The Navy's top civilian called the establishment of a robotics warfare rating "a significant milestone" in the service's journey toward a hybrid fleet.