The new site will feature advanced testing capabilities for power, thermal, and laser performance, serving as a key platform for validating system readiness ahead of field deployment. “We are proud to expand our infrastructure in support of the Army’s HEL program,” said Grant Hagen, president of Mission Technologies’ Warfare Systems group.
“This investment reflects our continued commitment to delivering scalable, interoperable, and mission-ready solutions that protect the warfighter and advance national security objectives,” Hagen added. The facility will align with the Army’s modular open systems approach, supporting rapid innovation, subsystem interchangeability, and a resilient supply chain.
It will also help prepare HEL systems for low-rate initial production and future operational deployment. The initiative builds on HII’s collaboration with the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), which previously awarded the company a contract to develop and test a HEL prototype capable of acquiring, tracking, and defeating Groups 1-3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
Source: HII (press release).
