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.’