ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., June 26, 2026 — The U.S. Air Force has awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract worth up to $94.95 million to Verus Research LLC to support research into the performance of high-energy laser weapons and improve the testing and data analysis methods used to evaluate them.
The contract was awarded on June 25, 2026, by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, and will run through June 25, 2031. Verus Research secured the award through a competitive process involving two proposals. The Air Force has initially obligated $2.75 million in Fiscal Year 2026 Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) funding.
Based in Huntsville, Alabama, Verus Research operates as a subsidiary of Radiance Technologies and maintains facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company has previously supported U.S. defense programs involving directed energy technologies, high-power electromagnetics, and advanced weapons testing.
Advancing Laser Weapons Evaluation
The contract focuses on improving the Air Force's ability to measure how high-energy laser weapons perform against a range of targets, from small commercial drones to more advanced aerial threats. The work will strengthen testing capabilities and develop more accurate methods for collecting and analyzing performance data.
Researchers will examine how laser beams interact with different materials and determine the conditions required to achieve reliable target defeat. The program will also study how environmental factors—including humidity, atmospheric turbulence, dust, and aerosols—affect laser propagation and overall weapon effectiveness under operational conditions.
Another key objective is to improve instrumentation and data analysis techniques so that test results accurately reflect real-world performance. These efforts will help engineers validate laser weapon capabilities and support future system development.
Kirtland's Role in Directed Energy Research
Much of the research will be conducted at Kirtland Air Force Base, home to the AFRL's Directed Energy Directorate. The facility has served as the U.S. military's primary center for directed energy research for decades.
Kirtland's location in the New Mexico desert provides controlled airspace, long testing distances, and favorable atmospheric conditions, making it well suited for evaluating high-energy laser systems under realistic field conditions.
Supporting Future Air Defense
The contract supports the Department of Defense's broader effort to field directed energy weapons capable of countering the growing threat posed by drones, cruise missiles, and other airborne systems. High-energy lasers offer the potential for rapid engagement and a significantly lower cost per shot than conventional interceptor missiles, making them an attractive option for future air defense missions.
The award comes as the Pentagon continues to expand investment in directed energy technologies. Its Fiscal Year 2027 budget request includes approximately $2 billion for directed energy research and development, reflecting increased confidence in the operational potential of laser and high-power microwave systems.
Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth observed live demonstrations of high-energy laser and high-power microwave weapons at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, highlighting the Defense Department's continued focus on advancing these capabilities.
The Verus Research contract is expected to provide the scientific data and testing expertise needed to improve the evaluation of future laser weapon systems and support their integration into U.S. military operations over the next five years.
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