Fast-tracked laser prototype effort paused

The military on Wednesday suspended an Air Force effort to find an off-the-shelf laser prototype for base and aircraft defense, according to an Army notice.

"Effective immediately, this effort has been suspended," according to a Dec. 19 Army notice. "Additional information will be provided during the second quarter of [fiscal year 2019]."

The Army's Training and Readiness Accelerator (TReX) consortium, which handles the High-Energy Laser Flexible Prototype development, noted on its website the program's Dec. 11 request for solutions will be amended.

Working with TReX allows the Air Force to move from solicitation to contract within three months. The service could issue up to two other transaction agreements and wants to reach system-level ground tests within one year after award.

Tim Greeff, chief executive officer of the National Security Technology Accelerator that manages TReX, did not respond to a request for comment Dec. 20.