According to foreign media reports, the US Army has awarded Dynetics, Lockheed Martin and its partners a $10 million contract to continue the next phase of the US military's high-energy green laser pointer tactical vehicle demonstration (HEL TVD). HEL TVD is a 100 kW laser weapon system.
The contract partner said: "The green laser pointer weapon is very suitable for solving high-volume, low-cost threats. Dynetics' HEL TVD system uses a highly reliable subsystem that can withstand any harsh operating conditions in the future."
The team recently completed a system requirements review and a technical baseline update. The next step in the project will be the preliminary design review in January 2019, and the Raytheon team will also join the final competitive phase.
Ronnie Chronister, vice president of contract at Dynetics, said: “The HEL TVD program will be crucial for soldiers when protecting our country. Dynetics, Lockheed Martin and our partners will provide them with a safe Simple high-energy laser weapon system."
Dynetics is integrating its systems engineering, manufacturing, testing and vehicle modification experience into mid-sized tactical vehicle families.
Iain McKinnie, head of advanced laser solutions and strategic business development at Lockheed Martin, said: "The proliferation of hostile drone systems and rockets, artillery and mortars is increasingly threatening the deployment of US troops. Laser weapons are Ideal for improving existing kinetic weapons to address drone problems and RAM attacks."