Boeing and General Atomics collaborate to develop new laser weapons

General Atomics and Boeing announced on October 13th that they are collaborating to manufacture a new high-energy laser for air and missile defense.

The two companies announced at a press conference that, according to the agreement, they will manufacture a 100 kW laser that can be expanded to 250 kW. This weapon can be used as a standalone system or integrated into ground vehicles, ships, and aircraft. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems will be responsible for laser, battery, and thermal management systems, while Boeing will create beam controllers and software required for precise tracking and pointing of lasers. Although the two companies did not specify whether the construction of the system took into account specific procurement projects, General Atomics and Boeing hope to achieve power levels consistent with the Army's goals in their high-energy laser tactical vehicle demonstration program using their lasers.

The military has already utilized Dynetics and Lockheed Martin to build the initial HEL-TVD demonstrator - a 100 kW level laser that will be integrated with a range of medium tactical vehicle platforms - but the agency ultimately hopes to develop 250 to 300 kW level directed energy weapons for future needs.

The HEL-TVD demonstrator is a means of deploying directed energy weapons as part of the Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) Increment 2. Lieutenant General L. Neil Thurgood, Director of the Rapid Capability and Critical Technology Office (RCCTO) of the US Army, recently stated in an interview with Defense News before the annual meeting of the Association of the American Army that the US Army is developing laser fiber modules that can deliver laser power up to 300 kilowatts. The military will demonstrate this capability on trucks in the fiscal year 2022.

As part of a broader Pentagon program, HEL-TVD is a contribution of the Army and a demonstration of competition between military branches. The Navy and Air Force are also developing laser demonstration aircraft of the same power. Thurgood said that by the end of FY22, the military branches and the Ministry of Defense will decide which of these three varieties is the best. Subsequently, the army will manufacture four vehicle prototypes and deliver them in FY24.