High-energy laser development ongoing for U.S. Army by Dynetics and partners
NewsAugust 07, 2018
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. Engineering/IT company Dynetics, along with its partners, is operating under a $10 million contract to continue development for the next phase of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command's (SMDC) High Energy Laser Tactical Vehicle Demonstrator (HEL TVD) program, a 100-kilowatt class laser weapon system.
The team -- with Dynetics as prime contractor and also including Lockheed Martin -- recently completed a System Requirements Review and technical baseline update; the next step in the program is set to be the preliminary design review in January 2019.
Dynetics officials say that its HEL TVD system uses highly reliable subsystems to withstand the expected rugged operational conditions and that laser weapons are ideally suited to address high-volume, low-cost threats because of lasers' inexpensive cost per shot and deep magazine.
"The HEL TVD program will be pivotal for the warfighters while they are protecting our country. Dynetics, Lockheed Martin, and our partners are looking forward to providing a safe and simple high-energy laser weapon system that crews can operate for years to come and across various terrains," said Ronnie Chronister, Dynetics vice president of contracts.
