Textron Systems has announced that it has been awarded a contract by U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command to develop and demonstrate high-power solid-state laser technology. The contract supports the Joint Technology Office's Joint High Power Solid State Laser Program Phase III activity to develop a laboratory-demonstrated 100 kW solid-state laser.
The initial contract, signed on December 22, 2005, currently is valued at $10M. In addition to this contract, there are three separately priced options. If exercised, these options will increase the contract value to $30M.
The contract is funded by the Joint Technology Office, an arm of the U.S. Department of Defense that functions as the DoD's advocate for High Energy Laser (HEL) technology development and funds high priority science and technology activities supporting future HEL weapon requirements. The goal of the J-HPSSL program is to demonstrate integration of scaleable subsystem technologies at the laboratory level into a 100 kW-Class solid-state laser system for use on a variety of military platforms.
Jim Stamboni, senior vice president, Textron Systems, Advanced Solutions Center, said, "We are extraordinarily proud to have the opportunity to further develop next-generation laser technologies for the U.S. Department of Defense. Our laser systems have consistently surpassed many technical milestones, while remaining compact, scaleable, and affordable. In addition, these systems promise to provide the warfighter with enhanced capability in terms of shorter engagement timelines, high-precision targeting combined with long reach, while inflicting low collateral damage."
