The Army has awarded Raytheon [RTN] $10 million demonstration contract to develop a new 100kW laser weapon system able to be integrated onboard its Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV).
Raytheon is tasked with designing the laser under the Army’s High Energy Laser Tactical Vehicle Demonstration (HEL TVD) program, with a final $130 million deal to select an offering for production expected in early 2019.
An Army decision on a System, Development and Demonstration contract will arrive after completion of HEL TVD Program Option Two between Raytheon and a design from Dynetics, with Lockheed Martin [LMT] as a subcontractor.
The preliminary design phase ends in February 2019, an Army spokesperson told Defense Daily.
The new laser system for the FMTV is being designed to counter rocket, artillery and mortar attacks.
“The beauty of this system is that it’s self-contained. Multi-spectral targeting sensors, fiber-combined lasers, power and thermal sub-systems are incorporated in a single package. This system is being designed to knock out rockets, artillery or mortar fire, or small drones,” Roy Azevedo, vice president of ISR systems for Raytheon’s space and airborne systems division, said in a statement.
HEL TVD is a part of the Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 effort.