1. Short title This Act may be cited as the United States-Israel Directed Energy Cooperation Act . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Directed energy platforms are electromagnetic systems capable of converting chemical or electrical energy to radiated energy and focusing it on a target, resulting in physical damage that degrades or neutralizes an adversarial capability. These systems include high-energy lasers that emit photons and high-power microwaves that release radiofrequency waves. (2) Directed energy platforms hold enormous potential for non-lethal, defensive capabilities, including protection against advanced missiles and swarms of unmanned aerial systems. (3) At a fraction of the per-use cost of kinetic defense platforms, directed energy capabilities could greatly enhance the deterrence posture of the United States and protect against emerging threats such as hypersonic and maneuverable missiles. (4) The United States and Israel successfully partnered on directed energy capabilities during the 1990s and early 2000s based on earlier-generation chemical laser technology, including the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL). (5) In response to technological advances and emerging threats, the United States has increased investments in next-generation directed energy capabilities and is exploring the potential for boost-phase ballistic missile defense with the Low-Power Laser Demonstrator program. Existing programs within each service branch are developing technologies to protect members of the Armed Forces from rocket, artillery, mortar, and unmanned aerial systems. (6) Since 2014, Israel has been developing Iron Beam, a laser platform to intercept mortars. In response to a growing missile threat, Israel’s Ministry of Defense has increased investments in directed energy capabilities in recent years. (7) In 2017, the Department of Defense issued a report to Congress on the merits of renewed United States-Israel cooperation on directed energy, concluding that, The United States should pursue joint