SONGBOW combat laser project for the US Navy
HELIOS laser system on USS Preble (DDG-88)
The US Navy maintains interest in combat lasers and is launching new projects to develop such a weapon. weapons. A few days ago they launched the SONGBOW program, which should result in a high-power laser complex. It is proposed to improve combat performance by combining available and new technologies.
New contract
On June 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense signed another contract for the development of advanced laser weapons. The formal customer is the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and the contractor is Coherent Aerospace & Defense from Marrieta, California.
The contractor company was tasked with developing a combat laser system codenamed SONGBOW. It will have to create a design, as well as manufacture and test experimental equipment of the new type. The number of required products is not openly disclosed.
Within the framework of the SONGBOW program, a complex with a radiation power of 400 kW will be created. It will be built on the basis of several pulse lasers with a power of 50 kW each. For this, it will be necessary to develop a special optical system that combines several laser beams.
The main stage of the project development will take 20 months and will be completed at the beginning of the 2027 calendar year. In addition, two options are provided for, lasting 11 and 18 months. They will be implemented in the event of delays in the main stage or if it is necessary to continue work for other reasons.
Demonstration of HELIOS application
The cost of work on SONGBOW will be almost $30 million. It is curious that $12,9 million for such developments was already provided in the military budget for the 2024 financial year. They will be immediately allocated for the implementation of the new project. The remaining money is allocated in the budgets for 2025-26.
Navy laser
It should be recalled that the US Navy has long been interested in laser weapons and other "directed energy systems." To date, a number of such projects have been developed on their order. Some of the new combat lasers have not only reached testing, but have also been installed on carrier ships.
For example, in 2014, tests began on the AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System, a shipborne laser system developed by the Navy's scientific organizations. In 2019, a similar system, the High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) from Lockheed Martin, was mounted on a surface platform. Several other systems with various features are at various stages of development. In the coming years, they should reach testing at test sites and on carriers.
In prospective projects, there is a constant search for new solutions of various kinds. In addition, the characteristics of lasers are gradually increasing, primarily their power. The latest samples created for the Navy have already reached the level of 250-300 kW. At the same time, the customer plans to continue increasing the main parameters.
Power Questions
According to published information, the result of the SONGBOW project will be a combat laser with a power of at least 400 kW. The Navy has already explained how they plan to achieve this level of performance, although they have not yet provided any details. However, it is obvious that the customer and contractor will definitely talk about their project in the future.
Apparently, SONGBOW will be a laser complex for ships. This allows us to imagine the possible appearance of such a product, some of the requirements for it and objective limitations.
HELIOS on tests
In terms of overall architecture, the new laser will be similar to existing products in its class or, with some reservations, to artillery installations. The moving part of the complex with the emitter will be placed on the deck or superstructure. In addition, below-deck spaces will be required for the installation of part of the equipment.
It is claimed that a 400 kW combat laser will be assembled from several devices of lower power. Lasers of 50 kW have been named, from which one can draw conclusions about their required quantity. It can also be assumed that such a "battery" will have to be placed in the underdeck space.
The main innovation of the SONGBOW project will be an original optical system that combines beams from several lasers. It will probably include a set of light guides or mirrors that redirect individual beams. A mobile optical system will also be required to aim and focus the combined high-power beam.
The new laser will require a fire control system that takes into account the specifics of its design. In particular, it will have to determine how many lasers and at what power to use to destroy or suppress the current target. At the same time, the SONGBOW FCS must be fully compatible with modern shipboard electronics, such as the Aegis information and control system.
Goals and objectives
Despite the differences in characteristics, all combat lasers for ships have common goals and tasks. They are designed to combat various means of aerial reconnaissance and attack. The directed beam must suppress optical devices or cause damage to the structure of the aircraft.
The main target for ship lasers is considered to be unmanned aerial vehicles of various purposes. In addition, issues of combating winged aircraft are being worked out rockets and full-fledged aviationIn recent years, the US Navy, in conjunction with various contractors, has conducted a number of tests and demonstrated the feasibility of solving such problems.
AN/SEQ-3 LWS Testing onboard USS Portland (LPD-27)
All the characteristics of the promising SONGBOW laser are still unknown, but some predictions can be made based on information about other projects. For example, we need to remember the tests of the HELIOS product. With a power of no more than 100-120 kW, it successfully hit groups of small UAVs within a radius of 10-11 km. With an increase in power to 300 kW, it was possible to shoot down a flying cruise missile, although all its parameters were not specified.
It is obvious that a 400 kW laser will be able to solve more complex problems. The maximum range of destruction/suppression of targets will increase, and the required time of impact on the object will decrease. It may be possible to expand the range of targets that can be destroyed.
It is claimed that modern combat lasers demonstrate high efficiency - especially in comparison with artillery or missile systems of similar purpose. It can be expected that the "shot" of the SONGBOW laser will be more expensive than that of systems of lower power. However, the increase in combat qualities fully compensates for the increase in cost.
In the process of development
Thus, the US Navy continues to develop combat lasers for its ships and regularly launches new projects of this kind. Another order for a laser complex was issued several days ago. In the next 20 months, Coherent Aerospace & Defense will have to develop the required sample and bring it to testing.
Apparently, the new SONGBOW program will be based on available solutions. At the same time, new systems and devices will be developed that will determine the appearance and capabilities of the future laser. It is with their help that it is proposed to once again increase the beam power and improve the main combat characteristics.
The positive experience of recent years allows the customer and contractor to make optimistic forecasts. However, the SONGBOW project faces quite complex tasks, and its outcome is not yet predetermined. In addition, the possible timing of the deployment of the new laser on ships and further events are questionable.
Information