Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico) has announced that the Defense Department plans to invest in directed energy systems and the investment can help create new jobs in the state.
Heinrich’s office said Wednesday the senator made the announcement during a visit to Boeing‘s facility in Albuquerque, N.M.
On the same day, he also toured a University of New Mexico laboratory focused on directed energy as well as met with university researchers and students who collaborate with the Air Force Research Laboratory.
Earlier this year, Heinrich called on Defense Secretary James Mattis and the Defense Department to allocate funds for the development of modern weapon systems such as directed energy.
“This is an area where New Mexico can make yet another significant contribution to our nation’s defense—and in the process, we can see millions of dollars of investment and many new jobs in our state,” the senator said.