Lockheed Martin awarded laser weapon contract
Lockheed Martin has received a contract from the US Navy to develop, manufacture and deliver two high power laser weapon systems, the company announced on 1 March.
The contract is worth $150 million and includes options that would bring the overall value up to $942.8 million.
The High Energy Laser and Integrated Optical-dazzler with Surveillance (HELIOS) system will help the navy move closer toward its goal of fielding laser weapon systems aboard surface ships.
The HELIOS system combines three major capabilities in one weapon system: a high-energy laser system designed to counter UAS and small boats; a long-range ISR capability; and a counter-UAS dazzler capability.
In this first increment of the US Navy's Surface Navy Laser Weapon System programme, Lockheed Martin will deliver two units for test by 2020. While one unit will be delivered for shipboard integration on an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, the other will be used for land testing at White Sands Missile Range.
Michele Evans, vice president and general manager of integrated warfare systems and sensors, Lockheed Martin, said: ‘The HELIOS programme is the first of its kind, and brings together laser weapon, long-range ISR and counter-UAS capabilities, dramatically increasing the situational awareness and layered defence options available to the US Navy.’
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Navy takes delivery of New Jersey SSN
The USN’s Virginia-class SSNs are replacing the old Los Angeles-class SSNs. The Virginia-class SSNs are fitted with the latest sensors and weapons and around 48 submarines are planned, with a total of 38 currently ordered.
-
BMT and DNV partner to meet Australia’s heavy landing craft requirement
Under Project Land 8710 Phase 2, Australia has been seeking to acquire an undisclosed number of Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels to replace the Balikpapan-class. The programme has an estimated value of AU$1.4 billion (US$910 million), with IOC slated for 2032.
-
Babcock to take over upkeep of Royal Navy Type-23 frigates
The Royal Navy’s Type-23 Duke-class frigates for the UK Royal Navy were designed as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships but now have a multi-role function. Of the 16 Type 23s built, 12 remain in service with the Royal Navy and will be replaced by the Type-26 frigates before 2035.
-
Austal completes autonomy trials with former Royal Australian Navy patrol boat
The work took place under the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT), which has been a collaboration between Austal, Greenroom Robotics, the Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre and the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Warfare Innovation Navy Branch.
-
Singapore launches fourth and final Type 218SG submarine
The era of southeast Asian submarine modernisation has been in full swing fuelled by growing tensions in the South China Sea.