Northrop Grumman advancing high energy laser prototype

Northrop Grumman Corporation recently touted the completion of a preliminary design review the firm said would result in a high-energy laser prototype for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

In March 2021, Northrop Grumman secured a $72 million DoD pact via the High Energy Laser Scaling Initiative (HELSI) to demonstrate a high-energy laser prototype using Northrop Grumman’s coherent beam combining technology.

“This is an important step in the ability to combine high-power laser beams into a single beam that can be scaled for maximum power,” Northrop Grumman Strategic Space Systems Vice President and General Manager Robert Fleming said. “We’re on track to demonstrate the technology, leveraging our decades of experience in the field.”

Per Northrop Grumman, the review establishes the company’s technical approach for precise, low-cost, speed-of-light technology for military operations. The company is slated to test the prototype at higher powers later this year to prove the coherent beam combining design.

Northrop Grumman noted its solutions equip customers with capabilities needed to connect, advance, and protect America and its allies, deploying a shared purpose to solve customer problems.