Jane Edwards
KBR’s Kord Technologies subsidiary demonstrated a 50 kilowatt-class laser weapon prototype on a Stryker vehicle as part of the U.S. Army’s Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense program during a combat shoot-off held in July at Fort Sill in Oklahoma.
Byron Bright, president of KBR’s government solutions business and a 2021 Wash100 Award recipient, said in a statement published Wednesday the DE M-SHORAD program transitioned from design to implementation phase within two years and the prototype’s demonstration marks a step in efforts to deliver the directed energy capability to warfighters in accordance with the U.S. Army’s air and missile defense modernization strategy.
During the CSO, the company also used commercial gaming controllers, 3D models and other modern training platforms to train service members on the high energy laser prototype, which is designed to counter unmanned aircraft systems, rockets, artillery and mortars.
“Soldier-centered design throughout the prototyping effort is only the start,” said Bright. “The CSO demonstrated that Soldiers were able to rapidly learn how to operate the system and quickly demonstrate proficiency in target acquisition, aim point selection, and engagements thanks to state-of-the-art training utilizing immersive technology for the modern Soldier.”
In August, the Army announced that it is close to deploying a platoon of four Stryker combat vehicles equipped with the laser system in fiscal year 2022.
Kord serves as the DE M-SHORAD program’s prime contractor and lead integrator. The company previously operated under Centauri, which KBR acquired in October 2020.
