US Special Operations Command has awarded L3 Technologies a $48 Million contract for a Squad Aiming Laser. The Department of Defense confirmed the contract award on the 21st September. The project began in 2017, and was run by Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division.

L3 Technologies is a major defence contractor with numerous branches, the winning Squad Aiming Laser submission came from L3 Insight Technology, based in Londonderry, New Hampshire, and beat out four other entries.

L3’s successful submission was based on their Next Generation Aiming Laser which was introduced back in 2016. The company’s website describes the NGAL as:

a rugged, ultra-compact and lightweight system designed to be compatible with all generations of night vision devices. NGAL uses an advanced illuminator design to achieve a more uniform Near Infrared (NIR) illuminator beam for increased situation awareness. High-efficiency electronics support increased system performance at reduced Size, Weight and Power (SWaP).

SOCOM we’re looking for a laser module suitable for carbines and rifles which could replace older in service aiming modules with a lighter, more capable design. The award has been agreed as a fixed price, five year indefinite delievey/indefinite quantity contract which has the option of being extended to ten years.

Here is the Department of Defense’s award announcement:

L3 Technologies Inc., Londonberry, New Hampshire, is awarded a $48,500,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the production of Squad Aiming Lasers (SAL), spare parts, and training in support of U.S. Special Operations Command. The SAL is a compact, ruggedized, aiming, pointing and illuminating laser system for compact rifles and assault rifles. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the performance period to ten years. Work will be performed in Londonberry, New Hampshire, and is expected to be completed by September 2023.  If options are exercised, work will continue through September 2028. Fiscal 2018 Defense-wide procurement funding in the amount of $8,668,680 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with five offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-18-D-JQ27).

Production is scheduled to begin before the end of the year with delivery set to be completed by September 2023.

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