The U.S. Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin a $150 million contract, with options valued up to $942.8 million, for the development, manufacture and delivery of two high power laser weapon systems, including ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and counter-UAS (counter-Unmanned Aerial System) capabilities, by fiscal year 2020.
With the High Energy Laser and Integrated Optical-dazzler with Surveillance (HELIOS) system, Lockheed Martin will help the Navy take a major step forward in its goal to field laser weapon systems aboard surface ships.
“The HELIOS program 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 defense options available to the U.S. Navy,” said Michele Evans, vice president and general manager of Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors.
“This is a true system of capabilities, and we’re honored the Navy trusted Lockheed Martin to be a part of fielding these robust systems to the fleet.”
HELIOS combines three key capabilities, integrated together for the first time in one weapon system:
A High-Energy Laser System:
- The high-energy fiber laser will be designed to counter unmanned aerial systems and small boats.
- The energy and thermal management system will leverage Lockheed Martin experience on Department of Defense programs, and the cooling system will be designed for maximum adaptability onboard ships.
- Additionally, Lockheed Martin will bring decades of shipboard integration experience, reducing risk and increasing reliability.
A Long-Range ISR Capability:
- HELIOS sensors will be part of an integrated weapon system, designed to provide decision-makers with maximum access to information.
- HELIOS data will be available on the Lockheed Martin-led Aegis Combat System.
A Counter-UAS Dazzler Capability:
- The HELIOS dazzler will be designed to obscure adversarial UAS-based ISR capabilities.
In this first increment of the U.S. Navy’s Surface Navy Laser Weapon System program, Lockheed Martin will deliver two units for test by fiscal year 2020.
One unit will be delivered for shipboard integration on an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, and one unit will be used for land testing at White Sands Missile Range.
“Lockheed Martin’s spectral beam combined fiber lasers bring flexibility and adaptability to defensive and offensive missions,” said Dr. Rob Afzal, senior fellow of laser weapon systems.
“Our design is scalable, and we can optimize it to meet requirements for future increments.”
Lockheed Martin has more than 40 years of experience developing laser weapon systems.
(Learn More. Technological advancements over the past 40 years made laser weapon system developments possible in efficiently harnessing and directing the power of a laser beam and fiber laser devices using spectral beam combining. Lockheed Martin’s laser weapon systems have the dimensions and proficiency to allow easier incorporation into the battlefield—ensuring successful operation on military platforms on the move now and in the near future. Courtesy of Lockheed Martin and YouTube)
The HELIOS award leverages technology built upon internal research and development (R&D) projects, which includes the ATHENA system and ALADIN lasers, as well as contract experience gained from programs such as the U.S. Army/Directed Energy Joint Technology Office RELI program, the U.S. Air Force LANCE program and the U.S. Navy HEFL program.
To Learn More, visit: www.lockheedmartin.com/laserweaponsystems.
