The Air Force has given Boeing a $49 million contract to aid Air Force Research Lab laser research and development efforts at Kirtland AFB, N.M., according to a company release. The work falls under AFRL’s Laser Application Support and In-house Research (LASIR) program that could lead to the “next-generation of laser weapon technologies,” said Scott Fancher, VP and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems. He added that the work represents “potential solutions to equip the warfighter with ultra-precision engagement capability.” It will focus on advances in gas, hybrid electric-gas, and chemical laser systems, but will also engage technologies related to high-power fiber lasers, fiber laser pumps, non-linear optics, solid-state lasers, and diode-pump lasers, according to the release.
The Pentagon is counting on Congress to navigate a legislative tightrope and pass a party-line bill to fund nearly a quarter of its $1.5 trillion budget request for fiscal 2027, including billions of dollars for top priorities like Golden Dome, the F-35, munitions, and unmanned systems. Experts and lawmakers from…