DOD has awarded a $56 million contract to Northrop Grumman to develop military-grade solid-state laser technology that will eventually incorporate high-energy laser systems for all the services, under the Joint High Powered Solid-State Laser program. The lasers would be employed on ships, manned and unmanned aircraft, and ground vehicles.
Army National Guardsmen and Air National Guardsmen from as far as New York and Alaska deployed to the southeastern U.S. in recent days in response to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.