HII is Awarded Contract to Develop High-Energy Laser Weapon System for the US Army
HII (NYSE: HII) announced that its Mission Technologies division has been selected to develop a High-Energy Laser (HEL) weapon system for the U.S. Army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO). The prototype will be designed to detect, track, and eliminate Groups 1-3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in multi-domain operations.
The system features versatile deployment options, supporting both fixed-site defense and Army vehicle integration. The project emphasizes a Modular Open Systems Approach architecture, focusing on interoperability, affordability, and scalability. Following field testing for safety and operational suitability, successful demonstration could lead to low-rate initial production through the Army's Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space.
HII (NYSE: HII) ha annunciato che la sua divisione Mission Technologies è stata selezionata per sviluppare un sistema d'arma a Laser ad Alta Energia (HEL) per l'Ufficio delle Capacità Rapide e delle Tecnologie Critiche dell'Esercito degli Stati Uniti (RCCTO). Il prototipo sarà progettato per rilevare, tracciare ed eliminare i Sistemi Aeromobili Senza Equipaggio (UAS) delle Gruppi 1-3 in operazioni multi-dominio.
Il sistema offre opzioni di distribuzione versatili, supportando sia la difesa in siti fissi che l'integrazione con i veicoli dell'Esercito. Il progetto enfatizza un'architettura a Modular Open Systems Approach, concentrandosi su interoperabilità, economicità e scalabilità. Dopo i test sul campo per la sicurezza e l'idoneità operativa, una dimostrazione di successo potrebbe portare a una produzione iniziale a bassa velocità attraverso l'Ufficio Esecutivo del Programma per Missili e Spazio dell'Esercito.
HII (NYSE: HII) anunció que su división de Tecnologías de Misión ha sido seleccionada para desarrollar un sistema de arma de Láser de Alta Energía (HEL) para la Oficina de Capacidades Rápidas y Tecnologías Críticas del Ejército de EE. UU. (RCCTO). El prototipo estará diseñado para detectar, rastrear y eliminar los Sistemas Aéreos No Tripulados (UAS) de los Grupos 1-3 en operaciones de múltiples dominios.
El sistema presenta opciones de despliegue versátiles, apoyando tanto la defensa en sitios fijos como la integración de vehículos del Ejército. El proyecto enfatiza una arquitectura de Enfoque Modular de Sistemas Abiertos, centrada en la interoperabilidad, la asequibilidad y la escalabilidad. Tras las pruebas de campo para la seguridad y la idoneidad operativa, una demostración exitosa podría llevar a una producción inicial a baja tasa a través de la Oficina Ejecutiva del Programa de Misiles y Espacio del Ejército.
HII (NYSE: HII)는 자사의 미션 기술 부서가 미국 육군의 신속 능력 및 핵심 기술 사무소(RCCTO)를 위해 고에너지 레이저(HEL) 무기 시스템을 개발하도록 선정되었다고 발표했습니다. 이 프로토타입은 다영역 작전에서 그룹 1-3 무인 항공 시스템(UAS)을 탐지, 추적 및 제거하도록 설계될 것입니다.
이 시스템은 고정 사이트 방어와 육군 차량 통합을 모두 지원하는 다목적 배치 옵션을 특징으로 합니다. 이 프로젝트는 상호 운용성, 경제성 및 확장성에 중점을 둔 모듈식 개방 시스템 접근 방식 아키텍처를 강조합니다. 안전성 및 운영 적합성에 대한 현장 테스트 후, 성공적인 시연은 육군의 미사일 및 우주 프로그램 집행 사무소를 통해 초기 저속 생산으로 이어질 수 있습니다.
HII (NYSE: HII) a annoncé que sa division Technologies de Mission a été sélectionnée pour développer un système d'arme à laser haute énergie (HEL) pour le Bureau des Capacités Rapides et des Technologies Critiques de l'Armée américaine (RCCTO). Le prototype sera conçu pour détecter, suivre et éliminer les Systèmes Aériens Sans Pilote (UAS) des Groupes 1-3 lors d'opérations multi-domaines.
Le système propose des options de déploiement polyvalentes, soutenant à la fois la défense sur sites fixes et l'intégration des véhicules de l'Armée. Le projet met l'accent sur une architecture de Modular Open Systems Approach, axée sur l'interopérabilité, l'accessibilité financière et l'évolutivité. Après des tests sur le terrain pour la sécurité et l'adéquation opérationnelle, une démonstration réussie pourrait conduire à une production initiale à faible taux via le Bureau Exécutif du Programme des Missiles et de l'Espace de l'Armée.
HII (NYSE: HII) gab bekannt, dass seine Abteilung für Missionstechnologien ausgewählt wurde, um ein Hochenergielaser (HEL) Waffensystem für das Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) der US-Armee zu entwickeln. Der Prototyp wird so konzipiert sein, dass er Gruppen 1-3 unbemannte Luftfahrtsysteme (UAS) in Multi-Domain-Operationen erkennen, verfolgen und eliminieren kann.
Das System bietet vielseitige Einsatzmöglichkeiten und unterstützt sowohl die Verteidigung an festen Standorten als auch die Integration in Armeefahrzeuge. Das Projekt betont eine modulare offene Systemarchitektur, die sich auf Interoperabilität, Wirtschaftlichkeit und Skalierbarkeit konzentriert. Nach Feldtests zur Sicherheit und operativen Eignung könnte eine erfolgreiche Demonstration zu einer anfänglichen Produktion in geringer Stückzahl über das Programm-Exekutivbüro der Armee für Raketen und Raumfahrt führen.
- Secured new military contract for advanced weapon system development
- System design allows for multiple deployment options (fixed-site and vehicle-mounted)
- Potential for future production contract following successful demonstration
- Modular design enables future upgrades and modifications
- Revenue impact and contract value not disclosed
- Production timeline and volume uncertainty pending successful testing
Insights
HII's contract to develop a High-Energy Laser weapon system for the U.S. Army represents a strategically significant win in the emerging directed energy weapons domain. This prototype development agreement with the Army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office positions HII in the growing counter-UAS defense sector, addressing an increasingly important battlefield capability gap.
The technical specifications indicate the system will target Groups 1-3 UAS (small to medium-sized drones), with versatility for both fixed installations and vehicle mounting. Particularly noteworthy is the Modular Open Systems Approach architecture requirement, which aligns with the Pentagon's push for interoperable, component-swappable systems rather than proprietary solutions.
Beyond the initial prototype phase, the contract includes a potential pathway to low-rate initial production through the Army's Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space, contingent on successful demonstration and testing. This structured transition path suggests multi-stage revenue potential, though no financial terms were disclosed.
For HII, traditionally known for shipbuilding, this award demonstrates capability diversification through its Mission Technologies division, strengthening its position in advanced defense electronics and systems integration. The contract reinforces HII's continued competitiveness in securing next-generation military technology opportunities beyond its naval systems core business.
MCLEAN, Va., March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Mission Technologies division was selected to develop an open architecture High-Energy Laser (HEL) weapon system for the U.S. Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO).
HII will develop and test a HEL prototype to acquire, track and destroy Groups 1-3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) used in multi-domain operations. The system will be capable of fixed-site defense and/or integration onto Army vehicles.
“We are proud to provide a critical enabler for the Army, delivering an effective, interoperable, sustainable and scalable system that will meet force protection requirements and support U.S. strategic objectives,” said Grant Hagen, president of Mission Technologies’ Warfare Systems group. “We look forward to collaborating with the RCCTO on this important effort that will protect the warfighter with an affordable counter-UAS solution.”
In addition to a HEL prototype system, HII will provide the data needed to compete subsystems and key components. Aligned to the system’s Modular Open Systems Approach architecture, this data directly supports Army’s objectives for interoperability, affordability, scalability, supply chain resilience and rapid innovation. The weapon system will allow the Army to interchange subsystems and software as the weapon evolves to meet national security demands.
An image accompanying this release is available at: http://hii.com/news/hii-is-awarded-contract-to-develop-high-energy-laser-weapon-system-for-the-us-army/.
The RCCTO awarded this Other Transaction agreement with the ultimate goal of transitioning to the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space. As part of this process, HII’s prototype HEL will undergo field testing to evaluate its safety and operational suitability. Upon successful demonstration, the system is expected to transition into low-rate initial production.
About HII
HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HII’s mission is to deliver the world’s most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.
As the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HII’s workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, visit:
- HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/
- HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII
- HII on X: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII
- HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII
Contact:
Greg McCarthy
(202) 264-7126
gregory.j.mccarthy@hii-co.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f515400d-e855-4112-bccd-6758d1f6bde4
FAQ
What is the purpose of HII's new High-Energy Laser weapon system contract?
What are the key features of HII's High-Energy Laser weapon system?
What is the development timeline for HII's laser weapon system?
How does HII's laser weapon system support U.S. Army objectives?
