Artist’s rendering of the Navy's HELIOS shipboard laser weapon. (Image courtesy of Lockheed Martin)
Military.com: Navy Buys Lasers to 'Dazzle' Drones, Take Out Small Boats
The Navy has awarded an initial $150 million contract to Lockheed Martin to develop shipboard lasers that can "dazzle" enemy drone swarms and take out small boats.
It's a "watershed moment" in the Navy's decades-long effort to develop laser weapons for surface ships, Ian McKennie, Lockheed's business development leader for laser systems, said Friday of the $150 million contract that could go to $942.8 million with options.
Lockheed plans to deliver two of the systems to the Navy in fiscal 2020. One would go on board an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer for testing and the second would be used for land testing at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: This is just the start. I would not be surprised if in a few years every major U.S. navy ship will have such a laser system.
More News On The U.S. Navy Awarding A Contract To Develop Lasers That Can Take Out Drones And Small Boats
U.S. Navy Awards $150M Contract to Develop Lasers -- US News and World Report
A $150 million Lockheed contract will allow destroyers to use Star Wars technology against smaller targets. -- Bloomberg
First Combat Laser For Navy Warship: Lockheed HELIOS -- Breaking Defense
Navy destroyers will get these new anti-drone lasers -- We Are The Mighty
High-Energy Laser Weapons Are Moving Out to Sea -- Signal Magazine
This Lockheed Martin contract could mean laser weapons are almost ready for prime time -- Washington Business Journal
US Warship To Carry Deadly Laser In Less Than 24 Months -- Sputnik International
