nLIGHT DEFENSE Secures $171 Million Deal to Accelerate Megawatt-Class Laser Technology Development

Defense contractor nLIGHT has significantly expanded its commitment to the U.S. Department of Defense’s High Energy Laser Scaling Initiative (HELSI), with the total contract value now reaching $171 million. This expansion comes through the exercise of additional options on top of the original $86 million phase two award announced in May 2023, effectively doubling the program’s scope over the next three years.

From Kilowatt to Megawatt: Technology Scaling Journey

The initiative builds on nLIGHT’s prior achievements in phase one, where the company successfully demonstrated a 300-kilowatt-class high energy laser that exceeded program performance targets. Under the expanded phase two contract, nLIGHT will leverage its coherent beam combined (CBC) architecture to scale the laser system to megawatt-class power levels while enhancing beam quality and reducing size and weight constraints.

The resulting laser system will be engineered in a rugged, conex-compatible configuration, designed for field deployment. The design incorporates optional provisions for integrating precision long-range tracking and adaptive optics capabilities, enabling enhanced targeting accuracy against atmospheric interference.

Dual-Use Technology Strategy

As a provider of high-power semiconductor and fiber lasers serving industrial, microfabrication, aerospace and defense sectors, nLIGHT brings over two decades of expertise in developing dual-use laser technologies. The company operates facilities across Washington, Colorado and Oregon, supporting both commercial and defense applications.

The megawatt-class laser advancement represents a critical step in transitioning next-generation directed energy systems toward operational deployment, enabling military applications to address diverse threat scenarios with precision-directed, high-intensity beam technology.