Boeing announces beam control contract
Boeing has won a contract for developing a beam control system that could be used to provide accuracy for laser weapons on US Navy warships, the company announced on 17 February.
Under the contract, Boeing will design and develop a prototype High Power Beam Control Subsystem (HP BCSS) compatible with solid-state High Energy Lasers (HEL). The prototype will be compatible with systems that are being developed for the Office of Naval Research's (ONR's) solid state laser technology maturation programme.
The beam control system will focus and hold a laser on a moving aimpoint for long enough to disable the target - a challenge, given the constant motion of the maritime environment.
The contract will capitalise on work performed by Boeing with the US Army's HEL Mobile Demonstrator (MD), which underwent successful demonstrations at Eglin air force base in Florida in 2014.
During these demonstrations, the HEL MD acquired, tracked and destroyed targets in foggy and windy conditions. ONR shared technical data on energy systems in maritime environments with Boeing and the army. In recent testing, the HEL MD also disabled unmanned aerial vehicles and mortars.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![How will SAFE shape naval procurement for Canada and its highest-receiving members?]()
How will SAFE shape naval procurement for Canada and its highest-receiving members?
Canada’s inclusion on the EU’s Security Action for Europe initiative is set to enhance the country’s defence procurement strategy with important implications for some of its naval programmes, while Poland and Romania have also secured significant SAFE funding.
-
![Thales wins DE&S contract for portable autonomous command centres]()
Thales wins DE&S contract for portable autonomous command centres
The agreement to provide portable autonomous command centres to the UK Royal Navy will enhance the service’s Mine Counter Measure operations and further integrate autonomous and uncrewed systems into its fleet.
-
![US Navy to conduct an experimentation campaign with emerging tech in 2026 and 2027]()
US Navy to conduct an experimentation campaign with emerging tech in 2026 and 2027
The Technology Operational Experimentation Events will inform future requirements as the US Navy looks for innovative solutions across three key operational domains.
