# Navy Awards Laser Weapon OTAs

The U.S. Navy awarded a **$3.8 million Other Transaction Agreement (OTA)** in June 2026 to Huntington Ingalls Industries and EO Solutions for the Gr3MMLN high-energy laser weapon system. This contract supports experimentation and testing of maritime counter-drone laser capabilities under the Naval Surface Technology & Innovation Consortium (NSTIC). Additionally, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) modified a contract in July 2026 to provide **$17.1 million** for a 400 kW laser weapon under the SONGBOW program, and Congress allocated **$5 million** in FY 2026 funding for enduring high-energy laser development. These efforts align with the Navy's broader strategy to deploy containerized and marinized laser weapons on surface combatants to enhance maritime defense.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should note the Navy's increasing investment in directed energy weapons, signaling growing opportunities for defense contractors specializing in high-energy laser systems.
- The use of OTAs and contract modifications indicates flexible acquisition approaches to accelerate technology maturation and deployment.
- Companies with expertise in maritime laser weaponization and modular system integration may find emerging contract opportunities.
- The Arlington, Virginia area remains a key location for Navy-related procurement and innovation activities related to these programs.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 15, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Navy (Navy)
- Naval Surface Technology & Innovation Consortium (NSTIC)
- Office of Naval Research (ONR)

### Vendors
- Huntington Ingalls Industries (prime contractor)
- EO Solutions (defense contractor)

### Sources
- [Gr3MMLN: What We Know About the Navy’s Newest Laser Weapon Contract](https://www.laserwars.net/p/gr3mmln-what-we-know-about-the-navys) - Laser Wars | Jared Keller