Defense contractor Kratos lands $32 million laser-development order

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, a San Diego-based national security services provider, said recently that Digital Fusion Solutions, a subsidiary of Kratos’ Defense & Rocket Support Services (DRSS) unit, has been awarded a $32 million task order to develop a weaponized, high-energy laser.

The deal comes under Kratos’ U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (USASMDC/ARSTRAT) Integrated Test and Analysis Contract (ITAC) Prime Contract.

The task originally was planned as a $7 million contract to assist Space and Missile Defense Command with High Energy Laser (HEL) system engineering, integration and test support.

With the new contract, Kratos also will provide software support, training and new development enhancements, as well as manage operations and maintenance to ensure optimal conditions during demonstration and testing of the HEL systems.

Dave Carter, president of Kratos’ DRSS Division, said the company is excited to land the HEL contract.

“It enables us to expand our technical expertise in high-energy lasers while continuing to work closely with our long-time valued customer, U.S. Army SMDC,” Carter said.

Kratos’ DRSS division provides products, solutions and services for critical U.S. national security programs, which include ballistic missile defense, hypersonics, electromagnetic railguns, lasers and other directed-energy systems, and various combat systems.