The U.S. Army awarded a new contract to Lockheed Martin this week that will place the defense contractor in charge of developing up to four 300 kW-class laser weapon systems for a prototype program.
Designated the Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser (IFPC-HEL) program, that initiative is meant to ultimately support other layered defense measures and protect soldiers from threats such as drones, rockets, artillery, aircraft and mortars. To start, Lockheed Martin will produce two, but the option remains open for the company to develop another two units.
“Winning the IFPC-HEL prototype contract is the result of several years of complex program evolution, strategic investments and partnership with the Army on this program,” Rick Cordaro, vice president of Lockheed Martin mission systems and weapons, said. “Our mature directed energy technology enables Lockheed Martin to provide speed, agility, and 21st Century Security solutions to the Army.”
This is not the first time Lockheed Martin has investigated directed energy technology. Rather, it’s been working in that area for more than 40 years, and its efforts have in more recent days seen it win other contracts with the U.S. military as well.