The United States Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) has issued a request for information (RFI) regarding the production of a counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) high energy laser (HEL) weapon system to protect forces against Groups 1-3 UAS. This weapon system is designated as the Army Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL).
According to the RFI, the US government intends to produce up to twenty E-HELs using a modular open system approach with range proven laser and beam control technologies. Range proven technologies are defined as technologies demonstrated on a government test range and witnessed by government representatives. The RFI identifies an opportunity for industry to demonstrate capabilities against Groups 1 and 3 on a test range with Army representatives, if vendors do not have recent government witnessed test data available.
E-HEL is expected to produce a hard kill (inability for the UAS to maintain flight) of Group 1 and 2 UAS and one-way attack (OWA) for Group 3 UAS. The Army will also witness the key attributes of fluence, tracker performance, engagement track range and laser quality track to determine if systems that do not achieve a hard kill on Group 3 UAS have the potential to scale and be lethal against Group 3 OWA threat UAS.
The E-HEL weapon systems shall support both semi-fixed and manoeuvre operations, with the E-HEL being capable of operating in a “palletised” configuration or integrated onto a standard Army Joint Light Tactical Vehicle vehicle. E-HEL is intended to track Group 1-3 UAS in both “blue sky” and cluttered conditions based upon accepting external Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) cues to the UAS.
To support deployment, E-HEL will incorporate provisions to allow for material handling using standard load-handling equipment (forklift) to enable ease of movement and emplacement, be ground transportable and meet air transport requirements for a C-17.
Interested sources responding to the RFI must have demonstrated expertise in the production of technically sophisticated laser weapon system components, supply chain management, integration and assembly, a secret facility clearance, strong configuration management and quality controls, HEL weapon system experience, test experience and the ability to support multiple concurrent weapon system integration activities.
Responses are invited by November 21.
For more information
Image: Project Flytrap counter-drone exercise, June 2025. (Screenshot from US Army video by Spc. Elijah Magaña)
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