BlueHalo won a contract from the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, to build a high-energy laser-directed energy weapon prototype.
To do so, the company will adapt its LOCUST Laser Weapon System for integration onto the Marine Corps’ joint light tactical vehicle, so warfighters have advanced mobile air defense capabilities against unmanned aerial system threats.
“With its superior target, acquisition, track, and defeat capabilities and its broad adaptability across both fixed-site and mobile applications, the LOCUST laser system is the perfect solution for rapid integration into systems like the JLTV to address our customers’ most complex challenges,” said Trip Ferguson, BlueHalo chief operating officer. “We are proud to be the industry leader in Directed Energy technologies and honored that the U.S. Navy has entrusted BlueHalo to deliver this critical capability.”
The Marine Corps is launching the full production of its Marine Air Defense Integrated Systems, focused on ground based air defense modernization efforts. With BlueHalo’s LOCUST HEL system, it’ll have directed energy counterunmanned aerial system capabilities.
The LOCUST system combines precision optical and laser hardware with advanced software, artificial intelligence and processing to allow for the directed energy “kill chain”, which includes tracking, identifying and engaging various targets with its hard-kill HEL.
Under the contract, BlueHalo will work with the systems integration team at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, to ensure compatibility and conduct “live fire” testing.
LOCUST is an advanced and adaptable laser weapon system. According to James Batt, BlueHalo chief growth officer, it’s been set up for stationary ground defense, made portable for transportation and mobile use, and incorporated into existing customer infrastructure.
“Now, the U.S. Navy has turned to BlueHalo to integrate LOCUST’s Directed Energy capabilities onto a JLTV for threat protection while on the move,” he said. “Customers continue to choose BlueHalo for our proven defense technologies and ability to rapidly transition innovations to mature prototypes and into full-rate production.”