The U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) has awarded BlueHalo a base USD45.7 million prototype Other Transaction Authority (with USD30.2 million in options) for the development of the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) system.
“Leveraging a long corporate heritage in directed energy and optical targeting and tracking systems, along with recent rapid deployments of the company’s Laser Weapon Systems (LWS) LOCUST, BlueHalo will provide an Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) mounted 20-kilowatt class laser weapon to defend against the growing Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) threats in the battlefield. AMP-HEL will provide additional overmatch capabilities to protect Division and Brigade Combat Teams,” according to a company press release.
According to Jonathan Moneymaker, BlueHalo Chief Executive Officer: “AMP-HEL is the next instantiation of BlueHalo’s proven LWS expertise. Our LOCUST LWS has successfully engaged and defeated numerous drone threats across a wide variety of background, clutter, slant range, and threat conditions.”
Last year, BlueHalo delivered its LOCUST laser system to the RCCTO for integration into the Palletized High Energy Laser (P-HEL) prototype, which deployed as the first operational High Energy Laser (HEL) Counter-small UAS (C-sUAS) capability overseas, reports the company. The LOCUST laser system combines precision optical and laser hardware with advanced software, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) algorithms, and processing to enable and enhance the directed energy “kill chain”, which includes tracking, identifying, and engaging a wide variety of targets with its hard-kill HEL.
“AMP-HEL marks another historic step for the deployment of more HEL systems and the modernization of our national defense capabilities,” said Trip Ferguson, BlueHalo Chief Operating Officer. “Through our layered defense solutions like LOCUST, BlueHalo continues to meet the toughest challenges with soldier-centered technology and inspired engineering–safeguarding our warfighters and nation.”
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