Pentagon Signs Two Laser Weapon Agreements Worth Up to $847 Million

The Office of the Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering signed two Joint Laser Weapon System Other Transaction Authority agreements on Thursday with nLIGHT Defense and Lockheed Martin Aculight. The initial value of the deals totals $86 million, with a program ceiling estimated at $847 million.

Early prototypes will deliver about 150 kilowatts of power to meet urgent operational needs, while later versions are planned to reach 300-500 kilowatts to intercept cruise missiles.

Pentagon officials have cited the need for lower-cost, reusable counter-drone systems as overseas threats extend to domestic airspace. Directed-energy lasers are described as offering faster intercept times, lower per-shot costs, and greater magazine depth compared with kinetic interceptors.

In March, the Federal Aviation Administration and the War Department tested a high-energy laser counter-drone system at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The LOCUST laser, produced by AV, demonstrated the ability to engage both stationary and airborne targets while maintaining an automated safety shutoff and showing no adverse effects on civilian aircraft.

The Joint Interagency Task Force 401 released a practical handbook this week to establish a shared understanding of the drone threat and guiding principles for defense. Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, the task force director, said the threat can be mitigated through proactive measures, interagency coordination, and layered defenses.

The Pentagon is also exploring a long-range, lower-cost drone to eventually replace the MQ-9 Reaper, which costs roughly $30 million per unit. Officials noted that the military lost about two dozen MQ-9s during the Iran war but stated the Air Force is not currently facing a crisis with the platform.