A Step Forward in Force Protection Technology
The U.S. Army has awarded HII’s Mission Technologies division a pivotal contract to create a high-energy laser weapon system for its Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO).
“We are proud to provide a critical enabler for the Army, delivering an effective, interoperable, sustainable, and scalable system that will meet force protection requirements and support U.S. strategic objectives,” stated Grant Hagen, president of Mission Technologies’ Warfare Systems group. The collaboration aims to provide an affordable counter-unmanned aerial system (UAS) solution to protect warfighters.
Contract Details and Objectives
The Army utilized an Other Transaction Agreement for this contract, though HII’s statement did not disclose the specific financial details. Should the development prove successful, the technology is expected to transition into the Army’s Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space.
HII’s laser system is designed to track and neutralize small to medium-sized unmanned aircraft and can be integrated onto Army vehicles or positioned at military bases. The Pentagon has long been interested in using directed energy to counter hostile UAS, yet it has faced challenges in advancing this technology beyond initial development and testing phases.
Challenges in Laser Technology Utilization
“There’s been much scholarly research on building lasers on ships, but we have not yet reached the point where this is an acceptable method to neutralize missile systems,” remarked Navy Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, during a press briefing in January.
Navy leaders have been pressed by various stakeholders—including the media, lawmakers, and the public—regarding the timeline for deployable directed energy weapons on destroyers like the USS Preble (DDG-88). Much of the urgency stems from reports revealing that these warships have been expending costly Standard Missile interceptors to take down inexpensive Houthi drones.
While Navy officials emphasize the importance of crew safety, they also point out that these high-cost missiles protect not only personnel but also multi-billion dollar vessels, a critical factor in evaluating overall costs.
Army’s Trials with Laser-Based Systems
Similarly, on the ground, the Army has encountered difficulties in implementing laser-based counter-UAS solutions. In March 2024, Army officials disclosed that feedback from soldiers who operated a 50-kilowatt laser mounted on Stryker vehicles was underwhelming.
“We’re uncovering challenges associated with directed energy at various power levels,” said Doug Bush, the Army’s acquisition lead, during a Senate Armed Services subcommittee meeting. “That [50-kilowatt] power level is proving challenging to integrate into a mobile vehicle, given the heat dissipation requirements, the amount of electronics involved, and the wear and tear on a vehicle that operates in a tactical environment versus a stationary site.”
As the Army continues its pursuit of advanced laser weapon systems, this contract with HII represents a significant step in enhancing force protection capabilities within the evolving landscape of military technology.
