Navy awards laser weapon contract to Huntington Ingalls Industries

The U.S. Navy has awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), the nation's largest shipbuilder, a $3.8 million contract to develop a new high-energy laser weapon for maritime operations.

The agreement, made with defense contractor EO Solutions, is for a "Counter-Group 3 Marinized MOSA Laser for Navy" (Gr3MMLN) system. This development is part of the Navy's broader push to equip its vessels with laser technology to counter drones and other threats.

The Gr3MMLN contract stems from a previous Navy solicitation for a prototype counter-drone laser weapon system called the Adaptable Transportable Laser Weapon System (ATLAS). The system is expected to deliver between 30 and 100 kilowatts of power and be capable of operating from surface combatants under demanding naval conditions for extended periods.

This contract marks HII's first known involvement in a naval laser weapon system. While HII has previously collaborated with the Army on similar laser projects, focusing on naval integration is a logical extension of its core business in shipbuilding. The success of the Gr3MMLN project will depend on HII and EO Solutions' ability to successfully integrate existing technology into the shipboard environment.