# Army Develops Laser Weapon Fielding Strategy

The U.S. Army is developing a strategy to transition the Pentagon’s Joint Laser Weapon System (JLWS) toward fielding and plans to include the effort in its next budget request. The Army has not yet identified which platforms could host the system, while the Pentagon’s Critical Technologies Office is seeking an initial capability within 24 months; the signal provides no solicitation, contract value, or award timeline.

- Companies with directed-energy, platform-integration, or weapons-system expertise can assess how their capabilities might support JLWS integration as the Army evaluates potential host platforms.
- The planned budget request signals a potential future procurement pathway, but no solicitation or funding details are available yet; contractors should distinguish the 24-month capability target from a contract or proposal deadline.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** October 26, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Army (Army)
- Critical Technologies Office
- Department of Defense (DoD)

### Sources
- [Army Official Confirms Strategy Being Worked To Transition Joint Laser Weapon System - Defense Daily](https://www.defensedaily.com/army-official-confirms-strategy-being-worked-to-transition-joint-laser-weapon-system/army) - Defense Daily