Lockheed Martin Awarded 500 kW Joint Laser Weapon System Contract

BETHESDA, Md., July 9, 2026 – The U.S. Department of War has awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a significant contract aimed at enhancing the United States’ next-generation cruise missile and unmanned aerial system defense architecture. This contract, part of the Joint Laser Weapon System (JLWS) program, will see Lockheed Martin develop a tactical containerized 500 kW laser weapon system designed to offer combatant commanders scalable and cost-effective solutions for intercepting aerial threats.

• The award highlights Lockheed Martin’s partnership with SCALED Directed Energy, recognized as one of the Department of War’s six Critical Technology Areas managed by the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)).

EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVES

“We are honored to field this operational-tactical prototype — the highest power laser ever packaged in a transportable container,” stated Paul Lemmo, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Sensors, Effectors, and Mission Systems. “Our expertise in minimizing size, weight, and power consumption, along with rugged system design, allows us to rapidly deliver containerized laser weapons in the near term.”

Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, emphasized the necessity of defending the homeland against emerging threats, stating, “We are collaborating with industry to swiftly deliver deep magazine directed energy capabilities to the Joint Force that can be deployed seamlessly across multiple domains.”

PROVEN TECHNOLOGY

This contract builds upon over 15 years of Lockheed Martin’s investment and expertise in the design and deployment of tactically relevant laser weapons. Compared to conventional kinetic systems, Lockheed Martin’s lasers offer a decisive operational advantage: engagement at the speed of light, virtually unlimited ammunition capacity, and a significantly lower cost per intercept. These capabilities are crucial for countering high-volume UAS swarms and advanced cruise missile threats.

Lockheed Martin remains committed to working closely with the Department of War and industry partners to expedite the deployment of directed energy capabilities, ensuring support for the warfighter when it matters most.

About Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company dedicated to driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our mission solutions in all domains and the 21st Century Security® vision facilitate the rapid delivery of transformative technologies, keeping those we serve continually ahead of the curve. For more information, visit Lockheedmartin.com.

Source: Lockheed Martin (2026-07-09 15:25:00)