“We want to do as much as we can; I would love to continue to bring on new projects, new programs to the border and try it out, but we want to do it in a responsible way that's safe,” Mark Ditlevson, assistant secretary of defense for Homeland Defense and Americas Security Affairs, told Breaking Defense.
“One of the key exciting components of this particular production program is introducing production-directed energy for the first time in the nation's history,” AV’s vice president of directed-energy systems told reporters.
Lightning Surge exercises are turning soldier feedback on NGC2 into operational software changes in days, not years.
US soldiers are demonstrating new systems to shoot down drones while the Army starts the search for a new secretary.
The task force did not disclose exactly where the drones were engaged or who was suspected of flying them, but suggested they could have been used for reconnaissance by a drug cartel.
A promising demonstration could result "in a purchase order that allows us to start building the production lines to get these systems into the field,” said Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director of the Pentagon’s JIATF-401.
Separately, MBDA and Rheinmetall were selected to develop a laser weapon system for the German Navy.
Dwindling stockpiles and lessons learned from Ukraine and Iran are driving urgent needs for revamping manufacturing.
Both companies expressed their readiness to transfer technology in line with mandates in Gulf states to localize defense production.
The FY27 budget request sets aside $994 million in total for small c-UAS, with all of that sum coming from discretionary funding.
"If boost-phase intercept from space is not affordable and scalable, we will not produce it, because we have other options to get after it," said Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein.
The Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program is the Army’s first program of record for a new family of high-energy lasers.
Models that replicate real-world physics streamline design, testing and iteration processes.
While big primes appear to be positioning themselves for leadership roles, Leidos CEO Tom Bell told reporters the company doesn't need to be "Mr. Golden Dome."
The weapon is envisioned to protect Army bases and vehicles from small- to medium-sized drones.
More Navy leaders as of late have been publicly bemoaning the service's inability to scale functional laser weapon systems.
The agreement comes days after Israel announced billions in US funding for air defenses, including Iron Beam.