Air Force Technology:
Lockheed Martin has received a contract extension from the US Missile Defense Agency to carry on the low power laser demonstrator (LPLD) missile interceptor concept development. Valued at $25.5m, the award extension is built on the original nine-month, $9.4m contract awarded to Lockheed in October last year for the development of the initial LPLD concept.
The LPLD concept designed by the company puts a fibre laser system on a high-performing, high-altitude airborne platform. The system can engage and intercept hostile missiles during their boost phase before it can deploy multiple warheads and decoys or reach top speed.
During the period of the contract modification, Lockheed Martin will be responsible for maturing its LPLD concept to a critical design review phase, which will bring the design to a level that can support full-scale fabrication.
