Phase 3 of the program in 2007 demonstrated 15 kW power in a laboratory setting, and at the end of 2008 under the General Atomics bid, Lockheed Martin was selected as the weapon system integrator.
In September 2007, DARPA contracted Textron Systems to supply an alternate laser module using its proprietary "ThinZag" ceramic solid-state technology.
The more powerful version will produce a 150-kW beam capable of knocking down missiles with the weight and size requirements for fitting onto fighter aircraft or a Humvee.
[1] DARPA planned for General Atomics to produce a second HELLADS system in January 2013 for use by the Office of Naval Research to test against targets "relevant to surface ships."
[2] General Atomics revealed in April 2015 that its Gen 3 High Energy Laser (HEL) completed beam quality and power measurements tests.
[3] Demonstrating sufficient laser power and beam quality ended the program's laboratory development phase and achieved acceptance for field trials.
General Atomics has also proposed its Gen 3 HEL to the Navy after an ONR solicitation for a 150 kW laser weapon suitable for installation on Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, to be tested in 2018.
General Atomics also plans to offer the Gen 3 to the U.S. Army for their High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HEL-MD) when its power levels increase to 120 kW in the early 2020s.