U.S. Army and Navy Collaborate on Joint Laser Weapon System Development

The U.S. Defense Department is advancing a new Joint Laser Weapon System through a collaboration between the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. The system is designed to counter incoming cruise missiles using a containerized 150-kilowatt high-energy laser, with potential to scale to at least 300 kilowatts.

Budget documents indicate the system will include a Joint Beam Control System capable of supporting 300-500 kilowatt lasers. This initiative builds on prior research from the Navy's 60-kilowatt High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-Dazzler and Surveillance system, installed on the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Preble, and the Army's 300-kilowatt Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser system, with its first prototype expected for delivery later in 2026.

The Navy has requested $94.825 million for fiscal 2027 under its Directed Energy and Electric Weapon Systems program element, an increase from $14.5 million in fiscal 2026. This funding supports Joint Laser Weapon System research and development, maintenance of the existing High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-Dazzler and Surveillance system, and upgrades to the High Energy Laser Counter Anti-Ship Cruise Missile Project test bed.

The Army's fiscal 2027 budget request does not include research and development funding for the program, following $51 million allocated in the prior year through reconciliation legislation. Instead, the Army plans $337.8 million in spending from fiscal 2028 through 2031, after completing activities on its Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser system.

Combined, the services project $675.93 million in research and development for the Joint Laser Weapon System through fiscal 2031. The Navy intends to award $31.7 million in contracts for Joint Beam Control System development in the fourth quarter of 2026 and $30 million for containerized system procurement and testing by March 2027.