TUCSON, Arizona (Oct 7, 2026)— Leonardo Electronics US Inc. has been awarded a $30.15 million modification to an existing U.S. Army contract for research and development involving semiconductor diode laser arrays. The work will be performed in Tucson, with an estimated completion date of March 29, 2029.
Announced September 24, the $30,148,771 award supports research to develop, study and increase the power emitted in a single beam from a phase-locked semiconductor diode laser array. The modification, designated P00006, applies to contract W911QX-24-C-0012.
In plain language, the research concerns coordinating multiple semiconductor lasers so their light combines into a single beam. Increasing the power of that combined beam is the central objective described in the award.
The Army obligated the full modification amount at the time of the award using fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation funds. U.S. Army Contracting Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
Leonardo Electronics US, a subsidiary of international aerospace, defense and security company Leonardo, develops high-power lasers and sensor technologies for defense, medical and scientific applications. Its Tucson operations manufacture laser products supporting advanced research and defense programs.
The award adds federally funded research activity to Southern Arizona’s optics and defense technology sector, with the announced work scheduled to continue into 2029. The contract notice does not identify a specific weapon system or disclose anticipated hiring, facility expansion or production requirements.
The $30.15 million represents the value of this modification, rather than the total value of the underlying Army contract.