Lockheed Unveils New Laser Weapon For Army’s Stryker Vehicles

Lockheed Unveils New Laser Weapon For Army’s Stryker Vehicles
Lockheed Unveils New Laser Weapon For Army’s Stryker Vehicles

Lockheed hopes to unseat an incumbent team of Raytheon and Kord Technologies, which received a $123.9 million contract this summer.

Army Fields First Anti-Aircraft Strykers In Just 3 Years

Army Fields First Anti-Aircraft Strykers In Just 3 Years
Army Fields First Anti-Aircraft Strykers In Just 3 Years

The threat of Russian drones, helicopters, and attack jets drove the first fielding to a unit in Germany, but the 8×8 Stryker variant may well find its way to the Pacific as well.

Army Starts Construction On Prototype Lasers

Army Starts Construction On Prototype Lasers
Army Starts Construction On Prototype Lasers

Contractors are already “bending metal” on components for both 50-kilowatt and 300-kW lasers, Army scientist Craig Robin said.

Live-Fire Tests In August For Army Air & Missile Defense

Live-Fire Tests In August For Army Air & Missile Defense
Live-Fire Tests In August For Army Air & Missile Defense

After weeks of COVID delays, combat soldiers are now testing both the IBCS network and the IM-SHORAD vehicle at White Sands. The first live shots against flying targets are just weeks away.

‘A Golden Age For Collaboration’ On Lasers & Microwaves: But Watch The Cheetos!

‘A Golden Age For Collaboration’ On Lasers & Microwaves: But Watch The Cheetos!
‘A Golden Age For Collaboration’ On Lasers & Microwaves: But Watch The Cheetos!

 “I spent the first 15 years of my career walking around in a lab with a laser, saying ‘does anyone want this…’ and the warfighter [kept] going ‘that’s adorable,’” Craig Robin recalled ruefully. “Just recently there’s been a tremendous pull [because] we simply just got out it into the user’s hands and they recognized the value.”

Army Ramps Up Funding For Laser Shield, Hypersonic Sword

Army Ramps Up Funding For Laser Shield, Hypersonic Sword
Army Ramps Up Funding For Laser Shield, Hypersonic Sword

Research and development spending on hypersonics will nearly double in ‘21, and it will triple for lasers, as the service rushes to deploy combat-ready prototypes.

Shyu To Army: ‘You Can’t Have It All’ With 31 Modernization Priorities

Shyu To Army: ‘You Can’t Have It All’ With 31 Modernization Priorities
Shyu To Army: ‘You Can’t Have It All’ With 31 Modernization Priorities

“My biggest concern is that when the budget goes down — that’s only a matter of time — that, one, we’re left with a bunch of prototypes but nothing in inventory, and a bunch of legacy systems without upgrades; and two, when the prototypes finally turn into production-ready weapons systems, how can the Army afford so many big-ticket procurement bills simultaneously?” warned Heidi Shyu.

12 Moments Of Truth For Army Modernization In 2019

12 Moments Of Truth For Army Modernization In 2019
12 Moments Of Truth For Army Modernization In 2019

WASHINGTON: At least a dozen major Army weapons programs face big decisions in 2019. The service will launch a competition for new armored vehicles; award development contracts for scout aircraft and helicopter engines; conduct key tests of long-range missiles, anti-aircraft defenses, rifles, targeting goggles, and multiple battlefield networks; and field new electronics for command posts.

Army Boosts Investment In Lasers

Army Boosts Investment In Lasers
Army Boosts Investment In Lasers

AUSA: The Army is investing more and more money in lasers to defeat incoming rockets and enemy drones. Across the Air & Missile Defense (AMD) portfolio, “we put over 50 percent of our S&T (Science and Technology) money going towards directed energy projects,” up from about a third previously, said the AMD modernization director, Brig. Gen.…

Inside Army Futures Command: CFT Chiefs Take Charge

Inside Army Futures Command: CFT Chiefs Take Charge
Inside Army Futures Command: CFT Chiefs Take Charge

“We were never above probably a total of eight people,” the aviation Cross Functional Team chief, Brig. Gen. Wally Rugen, told me. “We’re not this big colossal thing, we’re a lean, mean organization.”

It’s Raytheon Vs. Dynetics/Lockheed For Army’s 100 kW Laser

It’s Raytheon Vs. Dynetics/Lockheed For Army’s 100 kW Laser
It’s Raytheon Vs. Dynetics/Lockheed For Army’s 100 kW Laser

Lockheed is as close to an incumbent as you get in the rapidly evolving world of high-energy fiber lasers. Raytheon, by contrast, only recently made a big play for laser weapons, but they can draw on their experience with lower-powered but exquisitely tuned laser sensors.

Army Anti-Aircraft Stryker Can Kill Tanks Too

Army Anti-Aircraft Stryker Can Kill Tanks Too
Army Anti-Aircraft Stryker Can Kill Tanks Too

With its eyes firmly on Russia, the US Army is racing to field 8×8 Strykers with an array of weapons that can down enemy aircraft — from drones to helicopters to jets — and incidentally make enemy tanks think twice. The first prototypes will be delivered next year, with up to 144 (four battalions) by…

SASC NDAA Would Add $500M For Cruise Missile Defense

SASC NDAA Would Add $500M For Cruise Missile Defense
SASC NDAA Would Add $500M For Cruise Missile Defense

WASHINGTON: The Senate Armed Services Committee has lost patience with the Army program to develop cruise missile defenses, IFPC, and reallocated $500 million to buy an off-the-shelf alternative by 2020. The system would defend US bases abroad from Russian, Chinese, Iranian, or North Korean strikes. While the bill language and SASC staff are careful not…

Evolutionary Revolution: Esper’s Army Modernization Philosophy

Evolutionary Revolution: Esper’s Army Modernization Philosophy
Evolutionary Revolution: Esper’s Army Modernization Philosophy

The Army Chief of Staff wants revolutionary new weapons. The Army Secretary wants affordable technology fast. How can they reconcile these opposites?