The Office of Naval Research gave Raytheon Co. [RTN] a 12-month contract to develop the preliminary design of a 100 kilowatt experimental Free Electron Laser for the Navy. This preliminary design is the first of a three-phase ONR Innovative Naval Prototype program worth more than $150 million.

"Free Electron Lasers use superconducting electron accelerators to produce high-power laser beams," said Michael Del Checcolo, vice president of engineering for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. "Such high power lasers could be used to instantaneously engage targets at long ranges, enhancing the … Navy’s ability to combat enemies and threats at sea."

To develop this cutting-edge technology, Raytheon is implementing its OpenAIR(tm) business model and is teaming with experts from the Department of Energy laboratories, industry and academia across the country.