Lockheed Martin awarded contract for 300kW laser weapon systems
Lockheed Martin will deliver two 300 kW-class IFPC-HEL prototypes with an option for two more. (Image: Lockheed Martin)
Lockheed Martin has secured a contract to develop and deliver up to four 300kW-class laser weapon systems for the US Army's Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser (IFPC-HEL) prototype programme.
Under the contract Lockheed Martin will deliver two 300kW-class Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser (IFPC-HEL) prototypes with an option for two additional units.
The IFPC-HEL system complements other layered defence components to protect soldiers from stressing threats, UAS, rocket, artillery and mortars, along with rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.
Development of the system began in 2019 with Lockheed Martin working on the transition from the 100 kW-class science and technology programme, the High Energy Laser Tactical Vehicle Demonstrator (HEL-TVD), to the 300 kW-class IFPC-HEL demonstrator.
Related Articles
US Army to attain laser weapon vehicle by 2022
Lockheed Martin unveils plans to develop new class of 500kW laser weapon
In 2020, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to develop a compact, ruggedised 300 kW-class laser for the DoD.
In August 2022, Lockheed Martin delivered the High Energy Laser Scaling Initiative (HELSI) laser for use in the IFPC-HEL demonstrator, which was the most powerful solid-state directed energy technology delivered at that time.
In July Lockheed Martin announced plans to upscale its 300kW laser to 500kW class under a contract awarded by the US Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (OUSD (R&E)), a follow on to a contract from the same organisation for developing a smaller version.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Hundreds of Boxers with Puma turrets ordered for Dutch and German forces]()
Hundreds of Boxers with Puma turrets ordered for Dutch and German forces
The order is for 270 vehicles, 222 of which are infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) known as Schakal (Jackal), which integrates the advanced Puma IFV RCT30 turret onto the Boxer chassis.
-
![AUSA 2025: Hanwha Aerospace reveals new wheeled artillery system]()
AUSA 2025: Hanwha Aerospace reveals new wheeled artillery system
The aerospace company showed a model of its new mobile howitzer at AUSA in Washington, where a representative told Shephard more about its design.
-
![AUSA 2025: BAE Systems delivers more than 500 AMPVs to the US Army]()
AUSA 2025: BAE Systems delivers more than 500 AMPVs to the US Army
The US Army requires 2,907 Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles to replace its M113 family, and there are multiple versions in production.
-
![AUSA 2025: AM General Hawkeye awaits first production contract]()
AUSA 2025: AM General Hawkeye awaits first production contract
AM General presented its new Hawkeye at AUSA 2025 in Washington, with prototypes of the howitzer system having been trialled in Ukraine last year.
-
![AUSA 2025: Lionstrike lays out plans for British Army vehicle bid as competitors get ready]()
AUSA 2025: Lionstrike lays out plans for British Army vehicle bid as competitors get ready
In September 2025, BAE Systems announced that it was joining GM Defense and NP Aerospace to form Team Lionstrike. The team will be offering a version of GM Defense’s infantry support vehicle which is based on the commercial Colorado vehicle.
-
![AUSA 2025: KNDS France to bid for US Army requirement]()
AUSA 2025: KNDS France to bid for US Army requirement
The CAESAR Mk II, which was debuted internationally at Eurosatory last year, is a step up from the first model which has seen combat in Ukraine and the Middle East.
