General Atomics, Leidos Dynetics and five other companies will develop laser weapons up to 300 kW for the US Navy

The US Navy wants laser weapons for surface ships. The service has approached seven companies to do so.

Here's What We Know

The US Navy is willing to spend $75 million to develop a prototype laser weapon. Leidos Dynetics, II-VI Aerospace & Defense, General Atomics, Nutronics, NUBURU, LibertyWorks (owned by Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.) and Aculight (owned by Lockheed Martin) will compete for the contract.

The laser weapon must be able to destroy different types of drones, reconnaissance systems, rockets and missiles. The output power should be 100-300 kW. Another requirement is the modular design of the laser system.

In the end, we would like to add that Lockheed Martin presented a ship-based laser weapon last year. It is called High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) and was installed on the destroyer USS Preble. However, the power is only 60 kW.

The company also has a 300-kW SHigh Energy Laser Scaling Initiative (HELSI) laser in its portfolio. It was handed over to the US Department of Defense last year.

Source: Military Aerospace