U.S. Army Builds Directed Energy Research Facility

The U.S. Army is building the Directed Energy Research Facility at the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. The 5,800-sf project will provide the Space and Missile Defense Command with specialized high-bay labs for the creation of high energy laser (HEL) technologies. Accommodating two HEL systems simultaneously, the structure will support the prototyping and development of advanced weapons systems to respond to evolving threats. Construction began on the facility in March of 2020 and completion is expected in May of 2021. The project is part of the 163-acre Space and Directed Energy Technology Complex development. Anchored by the Aerophysics Research Facility, the campus will eventually house multiple R&D centers offering secure, resilient, and sustainable workspaces that can be easily adjusted to meet future mission requirements.