BlueHalo won a $95.4 million contract with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command to help advance the Directed Energy prototype development as part of the Laser Technology Research Development and Optimization program, through the Aviation & Missile Technology Consortium.
Under this contract, BlueHalo will continue to design and build laser weapon systems for the warfighter by delivering prototypes with automation, efficiency, performance and ruggedization with improved size, weight and power, the company said.
“We are developing tools to win the next war so there is no next war,” said Vikram Manikonda, BlueHalo chief technology officer. “We are expanding and accelerating BlueHalo’s air defense innovations, not only with Directed Energy technologies but with the diagnostic and surveillance monitoring systems that enable their sustainment, operation, and continuous improvement in the field. Our solutions are interoperable and designed with extreme care for the warfighter, providing the Army with a full system of systems to mature the use of laser weapons to meet our national security demands.”
BlueHalo will leverage its counter-UAS technologies and lessons learned deploying its LOCUST laser systems to conduct continuous system performance improvement, research and prototyping. The goal is to advance performance and durability, and increase the lethality of engagements against small UAS, the company said.
“Through the LARDO program, the U.S. Army is investing in the rapid innovation and maturation of our Nation’s laser weapon capabilities,” said Trip Ferguson, BlueHalo chief operating officer. “BlueHalo’s LOCUST laser systems are deployed overseas, providing multi-domain mission success in UAS threat elimination and force protection. We are honored that the U.S. Army continues to trust BlueHalo to deliver superior Directed Energy technologies and air defense innovations.”