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U.S. Army Ends Stryker Laser Program and JLTV Buys, Shifts Focus to Hybrid Light Vehicles
The Army ended its Stryker-based DE-MSHORAD program and is pursuing the ISV-Heavy and upgraded JLTV platforms for directed energy weapons. Defense News reported the moves target power generation shortfalls on existing vehicles.
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The U.S. Army terminated its Stryker-based DE-MSHORAD program and redirected high-energy laser development to light tactical vehicles, Defense News reported. AeroVironment’s 20 kW LOCUST system has already been tested on the Infantry Squad Vehicle and Joint Light Tactical Vehicle under the AMP-HEL effort.
The service’s Enduring High Energy Laser program also targets the JLTV. Power constraints limit current platforms. The JLTV generates up to 15 kW of exportable power. In late March 2026 the Army issued a commercial solutions opening that requires the new ISV-Heavy to produce and export at least 60 kW of continuous high-voltage DC power for payloads including directed energy weapons.
The Army’s fiscal 2027 budget request, released in April, funds an initial 34 ISV-H vehicles at roughly $463,000 each and sets a total objective of 606 vehicles. Proposal requests are scheduled by the end of 2026, a contract award by September 2027, and first deliveries by January 2028.
GM Defense announced it will offer its Chevrolet Silverado-based Next Generation Tactical Vehicle-Hybrid for the program.
The Army has curtailed JLTV purchases. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll directed in May 2025 that procurement of excess JLTVs end and funds shift to ISV modernization. The service took delivery of its final 250 JLTVs in January 2025.
AM General’s JLTV A2 variant is more than 20 months behind schedule with about 2,000 vehicles in arrears, and House appropriators proposed cutting $133 million from the program’s $245 million budget. The Marine Corps is adjusting its plans. Commandant Gen.
Eric Smith said in a June 2025 posture hearing that the service would buy fewer JLTVs because of the Army stoppage. The Corps has fielded roughly half of its 12,500-vehicle requirement. In May 2026 it released a request for information seeking mature, production-ready JLTV alternatives.
