Once a niche technology for mapping and autonomous vehicles, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is rapidly moving into the defense mainstream. Long associated with smart infrastructure and autonomous cars, LiDAR is now central to modern military operations, from counter-drone systems in Israel to high-resolution battlefield situational awareness in U.S. and allied forces. Its convergence of precision, autonomy, and dual-use applications positions it at the intersection of innovation, security, and geopolitics.

The strategic stakes of LiDAR are evident in U.S. defense policy. The Pentagon recently kept Hesai Group, the world’s largest automotive LiDAR maker, on its defense blacklist. While Hesai denies military links with China, U.S. courts upheld that its technology indeed contributes to China’s defense industrial base. Concomitantly, Washington is fostering a trusted domestic ecosystem with Ouster Inc. became the first supplier approved under the Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS Framework, meeting NDAA, supply chain, and cybersecurity standards. Ouster’s OS1 digital LiDAR, deployed by the Army, Navy, and NASA, offers sub-centimeter precision and a 90-meter range, making it ideal for drone surveillance, logistics, and autonomous navigation. Its U.S.-based manufacturing and ISO 27001 certification exemplify the Pentagon’s push for secure, domestically anchored technologies.

The urgency of LiDAR in active conflict is stark in Israel, where low-flying drones launched by Hezbollah and the Houthis have challenged traditional aerial defenses. Radar and cameras often fail to identify these UAVs until it’s too late, leaving civilian populations vulnerable. Jerusalem-based startup Lidwave addresses this gap with a 4D-LiDAR-on-chip sensor. Leveraging Finite Coherent Ranging (FCR), the device achieves sensitivity 10 million times higher than conventional Time-of-Flight LiDAR. Compact enough to fit on a coin, it detects drones up to five kilometers away while providing precise distance and velocity data – capabilities that cameras and radar cannot fully replicate yet.

LiDAR’s military relevance is also being reinforced by advances in civilian smart infrastructure. Innoviz Technologies, collaborating with Cron AI and D2 Traffic Technologies, has deployed InnovizSMART LiDAR sensors in U.S. intelligent transportation systems. These sensors generate 5.76 million points per second at a 450-meter range, processed entirely at the edge to eliminate cloud dependencies. While designed for intersections, the technology can translate to perimeter security, convoy protection, and base defense.

However, it is not just the West that is rushing to advance LiDAR tech and its implementation. At the Xi’an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, researchers developed a miniaturized LiDAR using cross dual-microcomb dispersion interferometry, achieving nanometer-level precision and extended range. This approach points toward full-chip integration, shrinking high-performance systems into compact, potentially low-cost modules suitable for autonomous platforms, missile guidance, and reconnaissance.

According to IDTechEx, the automotive LiDAR market is projected to reach $9.5 billion by 2034. While automotive applications remain a primary driver, defense adoption is accelerating, particularly for autonomy, surveillance, and threat detection.

LiDAR is no longer a peripheral technology. It is rapidly becoming a decisive element in modern warfare. From chip-scale sensors that detect swarming drones at distances of kilometers to high-resolution systems safeguarding critical infrastructure, militaries that fail to integrate LiDAR risk ceding tactical and strategic advantage. The race is no longer just about hardware; it is about securing trusted supply chains, leveraging dual-use innovations, and outpacing adversaries in speed, precision, and autonomy. For Israel, the U.S., and allied forces, the imperative is clear: accelerate adoption, invest in domestic innovation, and deploy LiDAR across every layer of defense before the battlefield leaves latecomers behind.