nLIGHT Showcases 70 kW Laser Weapon at Eurosatory 2026, Eyes Production Scale-Up
Event summary
- nLIGHT will exhibit its HADES™ 70 kW-class High-Energy Laser (HEL) weapon module at Eurosatory 2026 (June 15–19).
- The company is transitioning from demonstrations to production, focusing on hardening, supply chain readiness, and interoperability.
- HADES is designed for counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), rocket, artillery, and mortar (RAM) threats.
- nLIGHT aims to accelerate production timelines amid rising global demand for directed energy capabilities.
The big picture
nLIGHT’s participation in Eurosatory 2026 highlights the broader industry shift toward operational deployment of laser-based defense systems. The company’s focus on scalable manufacturing aligns with increasing defense spending on directed energy solutions, particularly for countering emerging aerial and artillery threats. The transition from demonstrations to production marks a critical phase in nLIGHT’s strategy to deliver mission-ready systems at scale.
What we're watching
- Production Readiness
- The pace at which nLIGHT can transition from development to full-scale manufacturing of the HADES system.
- Market Demand
- Whether global defense budgets will sustain the growing adoption of laser-based defense systems.
- Technological Integration
- How nLIGHT’s system interoperability will affect its adoption across ground, sea, air, and space applications.
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