U.S. Military Advances Joint Laser Weapon System (JLWS) to Counter Cruise Missiles

The U.S. Department of Defense is advancing the Joint Laser Weapon System (JLWS), a next-generation high-energy laser weapon designed to intercept cruise missiles as part of the nation’s ‘Golden Dome for America’ missile defense shield. The system is now taking shape through a collaboration between the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy, with initial development efforts underway.

JLWS Specifications and Capabilities

The JLWS will begin as a containerized 150 kilowatt laser system, with plans to scale up to at least 300 kW to effectively counter incoming cruise missile threats. According to the Navy’s fiscal year 2027 budget request, the system will also incorporate the Joint Beam Control System (JBCS), which is designed to support lasers ranging from 300 to 500 kW.

Leveraging Existing Laser Technologies

The JLWS program will build on research and development from two existing high-energy laser systems:

• Navy’s HELIOS (High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-Dazzler and Surveillance): A 60 kW system currently installed on the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Preble.
• Army’s IFPC-HEL (Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser): A 300 kW system, with the Army planning to take delivery of the first prototype later in 2026.

Additionally, the Navy will upgrade its High Energy Laser Counter Anti-Ship Cruise Missile Project (HELCAP) testbed to support future JLWS testing.

Budget Allocations and Future Plans

Last year’s Army budget request included $51 million in mandatory funding for JLWS through the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ reconciliation bill under its ‘Expanded Mission Area Missile’ program element. However, the fiscal year 2027 request does not allocate any R&D funding for JLWS. Instead, it outlines plans for $337.8 million in spending from fiscal year 2028 through fiscal year 2031.

The budget documents suggest the Army intends to conclude its IFPC-HEL activities before initiating its portion of the JLWS effort.

Navy’s Accelerated Investment in JLWS

The U.S. Navy is moving forward more aggressively. In its fiscal year 2027 budget request, the service allocated $94.825 million under its ‘Directed Energy and Electric Weapon Systems’ program element—a significant increase from the $14.5 million requested in fiscal year 2026. This funding includes:

• $79.84 million for the Surface Navy Laser Weapon System (SNLWS) effort to accelerate JLWS R&D.
• Sustainment of the Navy’s lone HELIOS system for future testing.
• Upgrades to the HELCAP testbed, which will receive an additional $14.978 million.

The Navy plans to invest an additional $243.3 million into JLWS R&D under this program element through fiscal year 2031.

Total R&D Investment and Contract Plans

Combined, the Army and Navy’s budget requests outline a total of $675.93 million in R&D spending for the JLWS through fiscal year 2031.

The Navy also plans to award:

• $31.7 million in contracts for JBCS development as early as the fourth quarter of 2026.
• $30 million in contracts for the procurement and testing of containerized JLWS by March 2027.

Industry observers anticipate that Lockheed Martin will secure these contracts, given its role as the technical lead on both the HELIOS and IFPC-HEL programs.