Electronics Weekly
The award is part of the country’s Laser technology Research Development and Optimization (LARDO) programme through the Aviation & Missile Technology Consortium (AMTC).
The Arlington, Virginia-headquartered company says the contract enables it to build multiple prototypes with increased automation, efficiency, and ruggedisation along with improved size, weight, and power (SWAP). These work against small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) and similar threats.
“We are developing tools to win the next war so there is no next war,” said BlueHalo CTO, Dr. Vikram Manikonda.
“We are expanding and accelerating BlueHalo’s air defense innovations, not only with Directed Energy technologies but with the diagnostic and surveillance monitoring systems that enable their sustainment, operation, and continuous improvement in the field. Our solutions are interoperable and designed with extreme care for the warfighter, providing the Army with a full system of systems to mature the use of laser weapons to meet our national security demands.”
Pictured above is the company’s LOCUST system, which combines precision optical and laser hardware with AI, to improve the directed energy “kill chain”. This includes tracking, identifying, and targeting a variety of targets with its “hard-kill” HEL (High Energy Laser).
It features a gimbaled electro-optical tracking system designed for tracking various threat sets in cluttered or clear skies. The ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) unit features a fine tracking system (FTS), telescope, laser rangefinder, acquisition tracking system (ATS), and targeting laser. Multiple camera payload options provide a field of view to aid in early target identification and tracking. This system pairs with its High Energy Laser.
See also: DragonFire laser shoots down drones
