PHILADELPHIA, PA — Attalon is investing $15 million to expand manufacturing capacity, add equipment, and grow its workforce under a long-term supply agreement with AeroVironment for high-energy laser systems, positioning the company to support increased production of directed-energy weapons.
The agreement covers Attalon’s Valaris high-energy laser platform for AeroVironment’s LOCUST system and broader laser product line. The companies are moving to increase production capacity as AeroVironment prepares for greater demand for deployable directed-energy systems.
Attalon plans to use the $15 million investment to increase manufacturing throughput and production readiness. The expansion includes additional capital equipment and hiring skilled workers.
AeroVironment is scaling LOCUST production ahead of expected demand, according to Mary Clum, president of the company’s Space, Cyber and Directed Energy business.
“Attalon’s Valaris S beam-combining laser subsystem is central to this effort,” Clum stated, describing the technology as part of AeroVironment’s effort to expand manufacturing capacity for systems designed to counter drone threats.
Attalon’s Valaris platform combines beam-forming laser technology with components intended to improve maintainability and field availability. The system incorporates the company’s kWIC Disconnect technology, which is designed to simplify servicing and sustainment.
The long-term agreement shifts the relationship toward sustained production rather than development and demonstration work, reflecting a broader push to move high-energy laser systems into regular operational use.
“Directed energy has reached that moment,” Attalon Chief Executive Officer John Bergeron stated, referring to the transition from demonstrating performance to producing systems at scale and sustaining them over their service life.
The companies are targeting U.S.-based production for the laser subsystems. Attalon will supply the Valaris platform across AeroVironment’s expanding high-energy laser portfolio as manufacturing volumes increase.
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