Navy Shipboard Laser Weapon System Demonstrator contract won by Northrop Grumman
NewsDecember 23, 2015
REDONDO BEACH, California. Northrop Grumman won a contract from the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) U.S. Navy to design, produce, integrate, and support shipboard testing of a 150-kilowatt-class solid state (electric) laser weapon system. The contract, dubbed Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD), will have three phases.
During Phase 1 Northrop Grumman engineers will develop a detailed design for the new system. Phase 2 will include assembly and ground test of the system, and Phase 3 will consist of at-sea testing of the system aboard the Navy's Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS) -- the former USS Paul F. Foster (DD-964). The Navy will lead the testing with Northrop Grumman providing the technical support.
Northrop Grumman officials say they have designed its system to be installed with minimal modification or additional costs for demonstrations onboard the Navy's DDG-51 FLT II class destroyers.
The initial award of $53 million will support work planned for the next 12 months. The contract could grow to a total value of $91 million over 34 months if ONR exercises all of its contract options.
