AeroVironment

The Army is nearing a contract award for the Enduring High Energy Laser (E-HEL), which represents the service's first laser weapon system to transition into permanent operational capability. This development comes as the Pentagon races to adapt to modern warfare threats, particularly inexpensive drones that challenge traditional air defenses. Alongside these efforts, the Air Force and Navy are also integrating directed-energy weapons, while countries like Israel and China are independently deploying advanced laser systems.

The Army is nearing a contract award for the Enduring High Energy Laser (E-HEL), marking its first potential laser weapon to transition into a permanent operational capability. This development positions U.S. forces to counter inexpensive drones without relying solely on costly kinetic weapons. Concurrently, the Air Force and Navy are also integrating high-energy lasers into their respective overseas and fleet operations.

JIATF-401 awarded CACI a $500 million contract for non-kinetic cUAS. The same entity also awarded AeroVironment (AV) a $500 million three-year contract earlier this month.