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nLight Secures $175M to Combat Drone Threat with Lasers

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Wednesday, February 4th 2026 at 22:04 GMT by Oregonian
      Locales: Oregon, UNITED STATES

Beaverton, Oregon - February 5th, 2026 - nLight, a leading laser manufacturer headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, announced today it has successfully raised $175 million in a funding round aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of its directed-energy weapons designed to counter the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. The investment signals a significant escalation in the race to provide effective defenses against increasingly sophisticated and readily available drone technology.

While the initial announcement focused on the financial injection, deeper analysis reveals a burgeoning industry driven by concerns over airspace security, critical infrastructure protection, and personal safety. The proliferation of drones - from hobbyist models to those employed for commercial delivery and even malicious purposes - has created a security vacuum that traditional methods struggle to fill. Conventional countermeasures, like jamming signals or deploying nets, are often ineffective against advanced drones or in scenarios requiring non-kinetic solutions. This is where nLight's laser technology enters the picture.

According to nLight CEO Scott Farrens, the company has observed a dramatic surge in drone activity across both commercial and governmental sectors. "We've seen an exponential increase," Farrens stated. "The need to protect critical infrastructure and personnel from unwanted drone intrusion is becoming increasingly urgent." This urgency is not merely anecdotal; reports from cybersecurity firms and governmental agencies indicate a substantial rise in drone-related incidents, ranging from nuisance activities like unauthorized surveillance to more serious threats involving the transport of contraband or even potential weaponization.

nLight's approach utilizes high-energy lasers to disable or destroy drones at a distance. Unlike kinetic methods, laser systems offer several key advantages. They boast near-instantaneous engagement, eliminating the need for time-consuming interception. They also offer a scalable response - the energy output can be adjusted to simply disrupt a drone's functionality (forcing it to land) or, if necessary, completely destroy it. Furthermore, laser systems leave no debris, minimizing collateral damage and environmental concerns.

The $175 million investment will be strategically allocated to two primary areas: expanding nLight's engineering and sales teams, and rapidly scaling up production capabilities. The company already operates facilities in Arizona, Massachusetts, and Texas, and anticipates significant expansion across these sites, as well as potential establishment of new facilities to meet anticipated demand. The bolstered engineering teams will focus on refining the laser systems, improving their range, precision, and ability to counter a wider variety of drone types and countermeasures. The expanded sales team will target both commercial entities - such as airports, logistics companies, and large event venues - and government agencies, including defense, homeland security, and law enforcement organizations.

Industry analysts predict the counter-drone market will experience explosive growth in the coming years. A recent report by DroneSec projects the global market to exceed $5 billion by 2028, fueled by increasing regulatory pressures and heightened security concerns. Competition in the space is fierce, with several companies pursuing various counter-drone technologies, including radio frequency jammers, electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons, and even trained birds of prey. However, nLight appears well-positioned to become a market leader, thanks to its established expertise in laser technology and its innovative approach to directed-energy defense.

An anonymous investor involved in the funding round highlighted nLight's unique strengths. "Their expertise in lasers, combined with their innovative approach to drone defense, makes them a leader in this rapidly evolving field," they said. The investor also emphasized the importance of developing non-kinetic solutions. "The ability to neutralize a drone without causing physical damage is crucial in many situations. It's about proportionate response and minimizing risk."

Looking ahead, nLight plans to integrate its laser technology into a broader suite of counter-drone solutions, including advanced sensor systems for drone detection and identification, and sophisticated software for automated threat assessment and response. The company is also exploring potential partnerships with drone manufacturers to develop built-in anti-drone systems for enhanced security.