NLIGHT, Inc. Announces Expansion of HELSI Contract Award to $171 Million for Development of 1 Megawatt Directed Energy Laser
November 02, 2023 at 04:05 pm EDT
Share
nLIGHT, Inc. announced the award of additional options that more than double the previously-announced contract to produce a High Energy Laser (HEL) prototype as part of the second phase of the DoD's Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Research & Engineering (OUSD (R&E)) High Energy Laser Scaling Initiative (HELSI). The original phase two award announced in May 2023 was for $86 million, and the exercise of the additional options announced brings the total value of the award to nLIGHT to $171 million. In the first phase of the HELSI program, nLIGHT utilized its coherent beam combined (CBC) architecture to demonstrate a 300 kilowatt (kW) class high energy laser with power and brightness that exceeded program objectives.
In the second phase of the HELSI program., which is expected to be executed over the next three years, nLIGHT will build upon its proven modular CBC architecture to scale laser source power to the megawatt-class with improved beam quality, size and weight. This laser will be delivered in a rugged conex-compatible form factor with optional space allocations to upgrade with precision long range tracking and adaptive optics technology.
nLIGHT, Inc. is a provider of semiconductor and fiber lasers for industrial, microfabrication, and aerospace and defense applications. The Company operates through two segments: Laser Products, and Advanced Development. It designs, manufactures, and sells a range of high-power semiconductor lasers and fiber lasers that are integrated into laser systems or manufacturing tools built by its customers. Its products include Semiconductor Lasers, Fiber Lasers, Laser Sensing Products, and Directed Energy Products. The Semiconductor Lasers is a high-power semiconductor laser with a range of power levels, wavelengths, and output fiber sizes. The Fiber Lasers is a programmable and serviceable high-power fiber laser. The Laser Sensing Products includes light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technologies, that are critical enablers of laser-based systems. The Directed Energy Products include standalone fiber amplifiers and beam combination and control systems for use in high-energy laser systems.
NLIGHT, INC. 
