Huntsville-based AEgis Technologies has been awarded a $29 million contract for high-energy laser weapons.

The contract, awarded by the Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, is to support the High Energy Laser Division of the SMDC Air & Missile Defense Directorate.

AEgis and its partners will conduct an array of high-energy laser technology research and development efforts to support the transition of HEL weapons to the battlefield.

“AEgis has been providing HEL R&D and weapon system development support to the Department of Defense, the Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Air Force for almost two decades,” said Pat Cannon, AEgis vice president of distributed operations. “As a retired Army officer, I am thrilled AEgis and our team can now apply that knowledge and experience to help SMDC solve Army HEL problems and give our soldiers the weapons they need to fight and win our nation’s battles.

“The Army is at the forefront of transitioning HEL to the warfighter so this a strategic win for AEgis as it extends our directed energy line of business into Huntsville and SMDC.”