DoD's $55.9M investment in a 150 KW flight-traceable laser system for advanced targeting capabilities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $55,869,970 ($55.9M)

Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2011-06-21

End Date: 2015-10-30

Contract Duration: 1,592 days

Daily Burn Rate: $35.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: A 150 KW LASER DESIGNED FOR FLIGHT TRACEABLE PERFORMANCE, READY TO INTEGRATE INTO A FIELD TEST SYSTEM FOR GROUND DEMONSTRATION. THE SYSTEM WILL INCLUDE BATTERY AND THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE AIRBORNE, SEABORNE, AND GROUND-BASED SCENARIOS WHICH PRESENT MULTIPLE TARGET PROSECUTIONS IN SEQUENCE (DETAILS OF THESE SEQUENCES ARE CLASSIFIED). THE LASER WILL PROVIDE 150 KW LASER POWER OUTPUT, WITH BEAM QUALITY TO SUPPORT THE TARGET SETS NOTED, IN A DESIGN WHICH CAN BE IMPLEMENTED COMPACTLY (5 KG/KW AND 3 CUBIC METERS VOLUME FOR THE LASER SYSTEM).

Place of Performance

Location: POWAY, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92064, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $55.9 million to GENERAL ATOMICS AERONAUTICAL SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: A 150 KW LASER DESIGNED FOR FLIGHT TRACEABLE PERFORMANCE, READY TO INTEGRATE INTO A FIELD TEST SYSTEM FOR GROUND DEMONSTRATION. THE SYSTEM WILL INCLUDE BATTERY AND THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE AIRBORNE, SEABORNE, AND GROUND-BASED SCENARIOS WHICH PRESENT M… Key points: 1. The contract funds research and development for a high-power laser system with integrated power and thermal management, designed for diverse operational environments. 2. Focus on compact design (5 kg/kW, 3 cubic meters) suggests a push towards deployable directed energy solutions. 3. The system's ability to prosecute multiple targets sequentially indicates a significant advancement in defensive or offensive capabilities. 4. Traceable performance and readiness for field testing imply a mature development stage for this directed energy technology. 5. The contract's duration of over four years suggests a complex, multi-phase development and testing process. 6. The specific target sets and sequences are classified, highlighting the sensitive nature of the technology being developed.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this R&D contract is challenging due to its specialized nature and classified performance details. The cost of $55.9 million for a 150 KW laser system, while substantial, must be viewed in the context of cutting-edge directed energy research. Without comparable public contracts for similar high-power, flight-traceable laser systems, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the emphasis on compact design and readiness for field testing suggests an effort to translate research into a potentially deployable asset, which could justify the investment if successful.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This approach is often taken for highly specialized research and development efforts where only one contractor possesses the unique expertise, technology, or intellectual property required. While it bypasses the competitive process, it can accelerate development by leveraging existing capabilities and avoiding lengthy procurement cycles for novel technologies.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers do not benefit from the price reductions typically achieved through competitive bidding. However, for highly specialized R&D, the value may lie in faster access to critical technology rather than cost savings.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and its operational units, which stand to gain advanced directed energy capabilities. The services delivered include the research, development, integration, and testing of a high-power laser system. The geographic impact is broad, as the system is designed for airborne, seaborne, and ground-based scenarios, potentially supporting global operations. Workforce implications include highly skilled engineers and scientists in the fields of laser technology, aerospace, and defense systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price discovery and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
The classified nature of target sets and sequences makes independent assessment of performance requirements difficult.
Long development cycles in R&D can carry inherent risks of technological obsolescence or failure to meet evolving mission needs.

Positive Signals

Focus on compact and lightweight design addresses critical deployment challenges for directed energy weapons.
Readiness for field testing suggests a mature technology with a high probability of successful integration.
Development of a 150 KW laser system represents a significant technological leap in directed energy capabilities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) portfolio, which focuses on high-risk, high-reward research to maintain the U.S. technological superiority. The market for high-power directed energy systems is specialized, with a limited number of prime contractors possessing the necessary expertise. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for next-generation defense capabilities, including counter-drone, missile defense, and anti-access/area denial technologies. Comparable spending benchmarks are scarce due to the proprietary and classified nature of much of this research.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides, as it was awarded sole-source to a large defense contractor. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist within the supply chain for specialized components or services, but the primary award does not directly benefit the small business ecosystem through set-aside provisions.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by DARPA program managers who monitor technical progress and adherence to contract milestones. Accountability is built into the phased development and testing requirements. Transparency is limited due to the classified nature of the specific applications and target sets, but DARPA generally provides program overviews and progress reports.

Related Government Programs

Directed Energy Weapons
High-Energy Lasers
Advanced Weapons Systems
DARPA Research Programs
Tactical Directed Energy

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
Classified performance details hinder independent value assessment.
High-power laser technology development carries inherent technical risks.
Long development cycle may face evolving technological landscapes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $55.9 million to GENERAL ATOMICS AERONAUTICAL SYSTEMS, INC.. A 150 KW LASER DESIGNED FOR FLIGHT TRACEABLE PERFORMANCE, READY TO INTEGRATE INTO A FIELD TEST SYSTEM FOR GROUND DEMONSTRATION. THE SYSTEM WILL INCLUDE BATTERY AND THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE AIRBORNE, SEABORNE, AND GROUND-BASED SCENARIOS WHICH PRESENT MULTIPLE TARGET PROSECUTIONS IN SEQUENCE (DETAILS OF THESE SEQUENCES ARE CLASSIFIED). THE LASER WILL PROVIDE 150 KW LASER POWER OUTPUT, WITH BEAM QUALITY TO SUPPORT THE TARGET SETS NOTED, IN A DESIGN WHICH CAN BE IMPLEME

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL ATOMICS AERONAUTICAL SYSTEMS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $55.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-06-21. End: 2015-10-30.

What is General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.'s track record with high-power laser systems and directed energy R&D for the DoD?

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has a significant track record in aerospace and defense, particularly in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and advanced sensor technologies. While their primary public recognition comes from drone platforms, GA-ASI has also been involved in directed energy research and development, including laser systems. They have previously worked on projects involving high-energy lasers for various applications, often integrated onto airborne platforms. Their experience in complex system integration, power management, and flight control for their UAS likely provides a strong foundation for developing and integrating a high-power laser system for flight applications. The company's history with DARPA and other defense agencies suggests familiarity with the rigorous R&D processes and performance requirements typical of such advanced programs.

How does the $55.9 million cost compare to similar directed energy R&D contracts?

Directly comparing the $55.9 million cost for this 150 KW laser system to similar contracts is difficult due to the specialized and often classified nature of directed energy R&D. Contracts for high-power laser systems, especially those designed for flight integration and advanced targeting, are not widely publicized with detailed cost breakdowns. However, investments in directed energy programs by agencies like DARPA and the military services often run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, reflecting the complexity, cutting-edge technology, and long development timelines involved. The cost must be evaluated against the specific technological advancements sought, such as the 150 KW power output, compact design, and readiness for field testing, which represent significant engineering challenges.

What are the primary technical risks associated with developing a 150 KW flight-traceable laser system?

Key technical risks include achieving the specified 150 KW power output reliably and efficiently within the compact size and weight constraints (5 kg/kW, 3 cubic meters). Thermal management is a critical challenge; dissipating the waste heat generated by such a powerful laser in a confined space, especially during flight operations, requires innovative cooling solutions. Beam quality degradation due to atmospheric effects or system imperfections could impact target prosecution effectiveness. Ensuring the system's durability and reliability for airborne, seaborne, and ground-based scenarios, including its ability to handle multiple target engagements sequentially, presents significant engineering hurdles. Finally, integrating the laser system with its power and thermal management subsystems into a functional field test system adds another layer of complexity and risk.

What does the 'traceable performance' requirement imply for this contract?

The requirement for 'traceable performance' implies that the laser system's output and operational characteristics must be measurable, verifiable, and documented against established standards or baseline specifications. This means that throughout the development and testing process, there must be a clear, documented chain of evidence showing how the system's performance was measured, what equipment was used, and how those measurements relate back to the contract's requirements. It suggests a rigorous approach to quality assurance and validation, ensuring that the delivered system meets the precise performance metrics defined by DARPA. This is crucial for high-stakes R&D where the system's effectiveness in real-world scenarios depends critically on its predictable and verifiable capabilities.

How might the classified nature of the target sets impact the program's success?

The classified nature of the target sets and engagement sequences presents a challenge for external assessment of the laser system's requirements and ultimate utility. While necessary for national security, it limits the ability of analysts or even some internal stakeholders to fully understand the operational context and performance benchmarks. This can make it harder to identify potential shortcomings or areas for improvement that might be apparent with greater transparency. However, for a program managed by an agency like DARPA, which specializes in advanced and often classified technologies, the program managers and technical teams are equipped to handle these requirements. The risk is mitigated by the expertise within DARPA and the contractor, but it does reduce broader visibility into the program's specific goals and success criteria.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Atomics (UEI: 859181984)

Address: 14200 KIRKHAM WAY, POWAY, CA, 92064

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $55,869,971

Exercised Options: $55,869,971

Current Obligation: $55,869,970

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline