GoKawiilA $3.8 million contract gives America’s largest shipbuilder its first known naval laser project, as the service races to turn directed-energy weapons into deployable systems. This article is republished with permission from Laser Wars, a newsletter about military laser weapons and other futuristic defense technology.
The Navy’s push for shipboard laser weapons just got a new entrant
Why This Matters
The Navy's decision to award a $3.8 million laser weapon contract to the nation's largest shipbuilder signals broadening industrial involvement in directed-energy weapons, a technology seen as a potential game-changer for missile defense and cost-per-shot efficiency at sea. This matters because it shows the defense industrial base expanding beyond traditional laser specialists, suggesting the Pentagon is accelerating efforts to move these weapons from prototypes to real fleet deployment.
Key Takeaways
- America's largest shipbuilder has entered the naval laser weapons market for the first time via a $3.8 million contract.
- The deal reflects the Navy's ongoing push to transition directed-energy weapons from experimental to deployable shipboard systems.
- Broader industry participation could speed development and adoption of laser weapons for fleet defense.
Get alerts for these topics