KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has awarded BAE Systems a contract with a maximum value of $19.7 million to research new military applications for laser technology.
The project, known as the Laser Utilization for Military Innovation and Novel Applications (LUMINA) program, will examine the use of pulsed lasers and the integration of solid-state laser technology with existing beam control systems.
The contract was awarded to BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems of Broomfield, Colorado, following a competitive process that attracted proposals from six companies.
$1 million initially obligated
The Department of Defense has initially obligated $1 million from its fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation funds for the program.
The contract uses a cost-plus-fixed-fee structure. Under this type of agreement, the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs and provides a fixed fee. The $19.7 million figure represents the contract's maximum ceiling, meaning the Air Force is not required to spend the full amount.
The work is scheduled to continue through September 29, 2031.
Research will focus on pulsed lasers
One of the main objectives of the LUMINA program is to examine potential military uses for pulsed lasers.
Unlike continuous-wave lasers, which produce a continuous beam, pulsed lasers release energy in short bursts. The Air Force's research will look at how the characteristics of pulsed lasers could be used for military applications.
The second objective is to integrate solid-state laser technology with existing beam control systems.
Beam control is an important part of a directed-energy system. It involves technologies such as optics, sensors and tracking equipment that are used to point the laser toward a target, maintain tracking and compensate for atmospheric effects that can affect the laser beam.
Military application remains undisclosed
The contract announcement does not identify the specific military applications that the Air Force intends to pursue through the LUMINA program.
It does not specify whether the research is intended for laser weapons, sensing, communications or another application. The announcement also does not identify specific targets or platforms associated with the research.
This leaves the exact operational purpose of the technology under development undisclosed.
Work to be conducted at Kirtland Air Force Base
All work under the LUMINA contract will be carried out at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.
Kirtland is home to the AFRL's Directed Energy Directorate, which conducts Air Force research and development involving high-energy lasers and high-power microwave technologies.
The directorate's work includes research into directed-energy technologies and related systems.
BAE Systems unit has spacecraft and sensor expertise
The contract was awarded to BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems, the Colorado-based business that was formerly Ball Aerospace.
BAE Systems acquired Ball Aerospace in 2024. The business develops spacecraft, satellite instruments, optical systems and sensor technologies for U.S. government customers, including the Department of Defense and NASA.
The LUMINA contract will now involve the company in research focused on expanding potential military uses of laser technology and combining solid-state lasers with existing beam control capabilities.
The Air Force has not disclosed further technical specifications or details about any future system that could result from the research.
——— End of Article ———
