News

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has selected four vendors for a pilot program to expand the operational use of high-energy laser and high-powered microwave systems for homeland counter-drone defense. The selected systems are:

· AeroVironment's Palletized HEL system · Epirus' Leonidas high-powered microwave system · Kord's Firefly HEL system · Boeing's Compact Laser Weapon System

The program, required by the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act, will be run by the Army-led Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Northern Command and the military services.

JIATF-401 will hold a shoot-off in December, and systems that perform well could be bought on the spot, task force director Brig. Gen. Matt Ross said previously. The department will also evaluate other directed energy systems at the event.

The FAA partnership follows a February incident in which the agency temporarily closed airspace around the El Paso, Texas, airport due to a miscommunication over a Customs and Border Protection counter-drone laser on loan from the Army. A later risk assessment conducted with the FAA during a laser demonstration in New Mexico found the system posed minimal risk to the National Airspace System, and led to a joint agreement on a laser system to protect the southern border.

Source: Breaking Defense
Associated URL: https://breakingdefense.com/2026/10/pentagon-picks-4-vendors-for-counter-drone-directed-energy-pilot-program

BOZEMAN, Mt. -- Reveal Technology received a $9.5 million purchase order from the U.S. Army under its existing GSA IDIQ contract.

This second delivery order expands Farsight platform deployment to additional infantry brigades, building on fielding with the 82nd Airborne Division and ongoing integration with the Army’s Nett Warrior system.

The purchase order supports immediate procurement, distribution, training, and sustainment of Farsight’s 3D mapping capabilities to Army infantry units requiring enhanced situational awareness in network-constrained environments. The platform integrates with Nett Warrior, the Army’s soldier-worn situational awareness and battle command system.

Source: Reveal Technology
Associated URL: https://revealtech.ai/newsroom/reveal-technology-receives-9-5m-u-s-army-purchase-order-for-farsight-platform

NASHUA, N.H. - BAE Systems has received a contract from Lockheed Martin to deliver high-performance electronic warfare (EW) systems for F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, giving them unmatched situational awareness and self-protection on the battlefield. Building on a long-standing alliance with Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office, BAE Systems continues production at scale for the global F-35 fleet.

The ASQ-239 EW system provides the F-35 with electromagnetic spectrum superiority. Its discriminating defensive and offensive capabilities enable the aircraft to operate effectively in challenging environments protected by enemy fighters, missiles, drones and the latest integrated air defense systems.

The innovative, agile system can be quickly updated by operators with software to give F-35s an edge against adversaries. It provides the jets with instantaneous bandwidth, high-speed signal processing and advanced algorithms to detect threats and respond quickly. Its passive, long-range sensing gives pilots the advantage of seeing and acting on threats first.

Under the contract, BAE Systems will manufacture and deliver EW systems for F-35 Lots 20-22 and provide systems to retrofit and modernize older aircraft. The company is using automation, the latest system designs and a robust supply chain to accelerate production. It has also made investments in its facilities to create and sustain more systems at even greater speed.

Source: BAE Systems
Associated URL: https://www.baesystems.com/en/