Lockheed Martin has clinched a $221-million contract to develop a new high-energy laser weapon prototype for the US Army.
The tech will be used to protect fixed and semi-fixed infrastructure from incoming aerial threats, including drones, low-flying aircraft, and cruise missiles.
According to the service, the contract covers the provision of a high-energy laser, beam control, beam director, and battle management system.
Work for the contract will be performed at the company’s facilities in Washington, New York, Florida, and New Jersey.
The prototype is expected to be ready by October 2025.
Once the prototyping is complete, the laser weapon will undergo live-fire testing against “operationally-relevant” targets.
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In September last year, Lockheed Martin announced it delivered a 300-kilowatt laser weapon to the US Department of Defense.
Regarded the department’s “highest-powered electric laser” to date, the weapon helps ensure that the US and its allies “are always prepared for what’s ahead.”
The American defense giant also delivered a 60-kilowatt-class high-energy laser with an integrated optical-dazzler and surveillance system to the US Navy last year.
The weapon will be integrated into American warships to provide a reliable directed energy capability.