Lockheed Martin To Deliver Four 300kW Laser Weapon Systems To U.S. Army

Lockheed Martin recently signed a contract to develop and deliver up to four 300 kW-class laser weapon systems for the U.S. Army's Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser (IFPC-HEL) prototype program.
Lo-Horse will deliver two 300-kilowatt-class IFPC-HEL prototypes, with options for two additional 300-kilowatt-class units. The U.S. Army plans to integrate four 300 kW-class IFPC-HEL prototypes into Army military vehicles by 2024.
The IFPC-HEL system complements other layered defense components and is capable of providing 360° coverage to protect Soldiers from threats such as unmanned aircraft systems, rockets, artillery, mortars, rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. The mobile platform contains interceptors, launchers, and power supply systems to support cruise missile defense, anti-drone, and warhead missions.
The U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) noted that this effort will provide up to four complete HEL weapon systems (e.g., HEL, Beam Control, Beam Command, Battle Management, and Power and Thermal Management) integrated into a government-provided platform. Once developed, the HEL weapon systems will undergo live-fire testing against "operationally relevant targets".
Winning the IFPC-HEL prototype contract is the culmination of several years of complex program development, strategic investment and partnership with the Army," said Rick Cordaro, vice president of Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Weapons. Our proven directed energy technology enables Lockheed Martin to provide the Army with speed, agility and 21st century security solutions."
Evolution of the IFPC-HEL laser weapon
Since 2019, Lockheed Martin has been involved in the transition from the 100-kilowatt-class Science and Technology Program High Energy Laser Tactical Vehicle Validator (HEL-TVD) to the 300-kilowatt-class IFPC-HEL validator:
- In 2020, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to develop a compact, ruggedized 300 kW-class laser for the Department of Defense.
- In August 2022, Lockheed Martin delivered the High Energy Laser Scaling Initiative (HELSI) laser for the IFPC-HEL demonstrator, the most powerful solid-state directed energy technology delivered at that time.
- In August 2023, Lockheed Martin will develop a 500KW high-energy laser weapon under a contract awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense, an increase of 200KW over the company's previous 300KW laser weapon delivered to the U.S. Army.
The design and construction of Lockheed Martin's 300 KW-class laser weapon system was made possible by significant investments and dedicated team contributions in its directed energy technology. Lockheed Martin has more than 40 years of experience in the research, design, development and capture of electromagnetic energy to enhance its capabilities for innovative 21st century security solutions. In addition to the IFPC-HEL, the U.S. Army has developed other types of directed energy laser weapon (DEW) concepts.
In fact, last September, Lockheed Martin announced the delivery of its 300kW power laser weapon to the U.S. Department of Defense. On July 19 this year, the U.S. Department of Defense has announced that Lockheed Martin has been awarded a value of up to $ 220.8 million "other transaction authorization" agreement for the development, integration, manufacturing, testing and delivery of "indirect fire protection capability -Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC-HEL) Prototype Weapon System". Currently, the U.S. Army has allocated $154 million from its fiscal year 2023 budget to support the program.
In addition to Lockheed Martin, several other prominent U.S. defense manufacturers, such as Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and Boeing, have previously been involved in advancing high-energy laser weapons for the U.S. military.