Give ’em E-HEL: Army seeks industry ideas for counter-drone laser systems

In the Army’s latest step to beef up its counter-unmanned aerial system capabilities, the service has formally asked industry for ideas to field high-energy laser systems capable of blasting small- to medium-sized drones out of the sky.

According to a request for information filed late last week, the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) is seeking solutions to protect “semi fixed” and maneuver forces from Group 1 and 2 drones and Group 3 “one way attack” drones for its Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, the Army’s first program of record for a new family of high-energy lasers.

RCCTO said it’s looking to acquire 20 E-HEL systems using a modular open systems approach, with an award expected to be “initiated” in the second quarter of fiscal year of 2026 “or later.”

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