Raytheon To Build Prototypes Of High Energy Laser Weapon Systems For USAF

Raytheon has won a $23.8 million contract to build two prototypes of High Energy Laser Weapon Systems (HELWS) for the US Air Force.

"This award provides for outside continental US (OCONUS) field assessment for purposes of experimentation including, but is not limited to, 12 months of in-field operation by Air Force personnel against unmanned aerial systems threats," the US Department of Defense said in a statement Friday.

The 10-kilowatt lasers are to be mounted on small ground-based vehicles and aimed using an interface similar to a video game controller. The prototype laser weapons incorporate a range of components from the commercial technology industry, including high-performance lithium-ion batteries, the same type used in electric vehicles.

Because laser weapons could fire constantly without wasting ammunition, military technology experts have theorized they could one day be useful in combating the small, remotely operated quadcopter drones. 

According to reports, the laser weapons are also expected to be an effective counter against swarming attack drones.

Work for the current contract is expected to be completed by November 1, 2020.

Raytheon has won a $23.8 million contract to build two prototypes of High Energy Laser Weapon Systems (HELWS) for the US Air Force.

"This award provides for outside continental US (OCONUS) field assessment for purposes of experimentation including, but is not limited to, 12 months of in-field operation by Air Force personnel against unmanned aerial systems threats," the US Department of Defense said in a statement Friday.

The 10-kilowatt lasers are to be mounted on small ground-based vehicles and aimed using an interface similar to a video game controller. The prototype laser weapons incorporate a range of components from the commercial technology industry, including high-performance lithium-ion batteries, the same type used in electric vehicles.

Because laser weapons could fire constantly without wasting ammunition, military technology experts have theorized they could one day be useful in combating the small, remotely operated quadcopter drones.

According to reports, the laser weapons are also expected to be an effective counter against swarming attack drones.

Work for the current contract is expected to be completed by November 1, 2020.