Here is who will build the new army laser gun

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and partner Dynetics beat Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) for a contract to build and test a state-of-the-art US Army laser system. The agreement is small at the moment, but it clearly indicates that Lockheed Martin stands out from rival entrepreneurs in the field of directed energy weapons. "Data-reactid =" 11 ">Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and partner Dynetics beat Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) for a contract to build and test a state-of-the-art US Army laser system. The agreement is small at the moment, but it clearly indicates that Lockheed Martin stands out from competing entrepreneurs in the field of directed energy weapons.

The Army has allocated $ 130 million to the Lockheed / Dynetics team to install a 100 kw laser system on a truck. The High Energy Laser Tactical Vehicle Demonstration Contract (HEL TVD) is asking the team to develop a prototype system by 2022 to test on drones, mortar shells and rockets.

Dynetics, a privately held company, is the main contractor of the offer, but Lockheed plays a leading role as a provider of the laser weapon subsystem and operator interfaces.

A profitable interceptor

The Army hopes to eventually be able to use lasers as interceptors, arguing that this technology is ideally suited for high-volume, low-cost threats because of the low cost per shot and the high firing capacity of lasers. Traditional rocket interceptors have proven to be a poor defense against the proliferation of hostile drones and missiles, as rockets are rapidly depleting, their replacement is expensive and their success rate is mixed.

"High energy laser weapons are a system that the United States wants to add to their defense portfolio since the invention of the laser," said Ronnie Chronister, senior vice president of Dynetics' contracts, in a statement. . "We are pleased to have been selected to build this new, safe weapon system that will provide a simple but cost effective approach to the theater."

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Artistic representation of the TVD Dynetics / Lockheed Martin HEL laser. Source of image: Dynetics.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The success of the HEL entry TVD will be based Lockheed Martin has more than 40 years of experience in the field of lasers, which recently enabled the production of prototypes, including the company's ALADIN 30 kw laser and its sea-based ADAM system. This system is powered by a hybrid battery / motor unit using rollers–Royce M250 helicopter engine. "Data-reactid =" 29 "> The success of HEL TVD will build on Lockheed Martin's more than 40 years of experience in lasers, and in recent years has produced prototypes including the company's ALADIN 30 kw laser and its Sea and Sea based ADAM System. The design is based on a hybrid battery / motor unit using a rollers–Royce M250 helicopter engine.

<p class = "web-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Although the unit price remains to be determined The initial plan of The army is deploying the laser on its vast fleet of medium tactical vehicles, trucks and trailers that form the backbone of the military supply lines.A successful demo could also position a variant of the defending system. other vehicles, including the more than 200,000 light tactical vehicles in the army being refreshed, or even to defend outposts in dangerous areas. "data-reactid =" 30 "> Although the unit price remains to be determined, the potential gain is considerable.The initial plan of the Army is to deploy the laser on its vast fleet of medium tactical vehicles, trucks and trailers that are the backbone of military supply lines. A successful demonstration could also position a variant of the system for the defense of other vehicles, including the approximately 200,000 light tactical vehicles currently being serviced by the Army. refreshing or even defending outposts in dangerous areas.

Deployments are also likely to last several years for maintenance and support, as the military tends to keep its trucks in service for years.

Lockheed takes the lead

HEL TVD alone represents a solid victory, but nothing remarkable for Lockheed, a defense giant with a turnover of 50 billion dollars. But when this is added to some other recent victories, a trend is emerging which augurs well for Lockheed Martin's future prospects.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "In addition to this victory in the Army, Lockheed Martin has also in recent years won competitions for the construction of prototypes of lasers for the US Navy and Aviation. Lockheed is far from being the only company interested in lasers, with Northrop Grumman, for example, working on a separate demonstrator of the Navy and on Raytheon developing a laser small enough for Army Jeeps. "data-reactid =" 34 "> In addition to this Army victory, Lockheed Martin also won competitions for the construction of US Navy and Air Force prototypes Lockheed is far from the only company interested in lasers, with Northrop Grumman, for example, working on a separate Navy Demonstrator and Raytheon developing a laser small enough for army jeeps.

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