General Atomics Teases MQ-20 Avenger Drone Armed With High-Energy Laser

General Atomics has unveiled a new MQ-20 Avenger concept fitted with a rotating combat laser on its nose, hinting at a future strike-focused evolution of the jet-powered drone.

A rendering shared by Naval News’ Carter Johnston shows the laser-emitting platform equipped with a ball-type sensor turret, a device usually fitted with electro-optical and infrared cameras and laser rangefinders to support targeting.

While the company called the design “purely conceptual” for now, it said the concept signals its ambitious shift toward arming its unmanned fleet with high-energy weapons.

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