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DOD Awards $86M for Laser Weapon Systems

July 10, 2026

1 min read

Key Takeaways

DOD awards $86M to nLIGHT Defense and Lockheed Martin Aculight.
Total program ceiling is $847 million.
Laser weapons to enhance cruise missile and UAS defense.
Systems aim for lower cost-per-intercept and faster engagement.

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Strategic Implications

This award may indicate the DOD's increasing focus on directed energy capabilities, which could provide a cost-effective solution for next-generation air and missile defense missions. The partnership with industry suggests a shift towards production-oriented platforms, which may accelerate the deployment of laser weapon systems across multiple domains.

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What Happened

Next-Gen Cruise Missiles and UAS Defense Get Boost

The Department of Defense has awarded $86 million to nLIGHT Defense and Lockheed Martin Aculight to develop laser weapons for the United States. The Joint Laser Weapon Systems agreements have a total program ceiling of $847 million and aim to advance the country’s cruise missile and unmanned aerial system defense architecture. The program seeks to provide combatant commanders with scalable, cost-effective intercept solutions for threats. This development was first reported by Military.com.

Source | Originally Published: July 9, 2026

Companies Mentioned