BlueHalo Secures $95M Army Contract for Directed Energy Tech Prototype Development

BlueHalo has received a potential $95.4 million contract from the U.S. Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command to develop a prototype of its directed energy system under the Laser technology Research Development and Optimization program.

The company said Tuesday the contract was awarded through the Aviation and Missile Technology Consortium.

“We are developing tools to win the next war so there is no next war,” said Vikram Manikonda, chief technology officer at BlueHalo.

“We are expanding and accelerating BlueHalo’s air defense innovations, not only with Directed Energy technologies but with the diagnostic and surveillance monitoring systems that enable their sustainment, operation, and continuous improvement in the field,” Manikonda added.

Under the contract, the company will conduct research and prototyping work using lessons learned from the deployment of its LOCUST laser systems and advancements in its counter-unmanned aircraft systems technologies.

Trip Ferguson, chief operating officer of BlueHalo, said the Army invests in the maturation of laser weapons capabilities through the LARDO program.

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