BlueHalo Adapts High-Energy System for Joint Light Tactical Vehicle

BlueHalo, a provider of ground-based systems for situational awareness, communications, command and control, and warfare operations, will develop a high-energy laser (HEL) directed-energy weapon (DEW) prototype, integrated onboard the U.S. Marine Corps’ Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). BlueHalo, in a press release, said it will adapt its LOCUST laser weapon system for integration onto a JLTV, providing the military with advanced mobile air defense against unmanned aerial system threats.

The company is the recipient of a contract award from the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research and Naval Surface Warfare Center for the design and development of the prototype.

The award comes as the Marine Corps completes initial development and launches full production of its Marine Air Defense Integrated Systems (MADIS), focused primarily on ground-based air defense modernization efforts. The addition of BlueHalo’s LOCUST HEL system will provide critical directed-energy counter-unmanned aerial system capabilities, adding it to the system’s existing kinetic and electronic warfare components.

BlueHalo, via an award from the Office of Naval Research and Naval Surface Warfare Center, will develop a high-energy-laser directed-energy weapon prototype, integrated onboard the Marine Corps’ Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). The company will adapt its LOCUST system for integration onto a JLTV, providing an advanced mobile air defense against unmanned aerial system threats, the company said. Courtesy of BlueHalo.

BlueHalo's LOCUST system combines precision optical and laser hardware with advanced software and AI processing to enable and enhance tracking, identifying, and engaging a wide variety of targets with its HEL. BlueHalo will work with the systems integration team at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division to ensure compatibility and conduct “live fire” testing.

This prototype integration, BlueHalo said, builds on its support for the MADIS program, which has already used BlueHalo’s SkyView passive radio-frequency detection and tracking sensors to provide precision tracking of small unmanned aircraft systems threats since 2018.