LASE Group's Fonon Technologies Advances to Next Phase of U.S. Air Force Battle Lab Evaluation for Laser Shield Anti-Drone Technology

Rhea-AI Summary

Laser Photonics (NASDAQ:LASE) announced that affiliated company Fonon Technologies has been invited to Step 2 of the U.S. Air Force Shaw AFB Battle Lab Commercial Solutions Opening evaluation for its Laser Shield Anti-Drone (LSAD) counter‑UAS technology.

According to the company, Fonon’s solution brief was accepted under Areas of Interest 2.1 (Rapid Point Defense) and 2.3 (Multi-Threat & Swarm Defeat), leading to a required pitch session to be scheduled by July 24, 2026 and held no later than September 14, 2026. The multi-phase CSO process can progress from briefs to pitches to full written proposals, and LSAD has passed the initial screening to reach further evaluation.

Positive

• LSAD advances to Step 2 of U.S. Air Force Battle Lab CSO
• Solution brief accepted under two Air Force priority areas: 2.1 and 2.3
• Defined timeline for pitch session by July 24 and before September 14, 2026

Negative

• None.

Market Context

Set against a recent 10-Q that highlighted substantial doubt about continuing as a going concern and...

Analysis

Set against a recent 10-Q that highlighted substantial doubt about continuing as a going concern and reliance on external financing, this LSAD evaluation step mainly underscores the defense opportunity side of the story. Moderate short interest and recent net insider share purchases provide additional context for how durable any sentiment shift from this announcement might be.

Key Figures

Evaluation step: Step 2 Area of Interest: 2.1 Area of Interest: 2.3 +2 more

5 metrics

Evaluation step Step 2 U.S. Air Force Shaw AFB Battle Lab CSO process for LSAD

Area of Interest 2.1 Rapid Point Defense topic under Air Force CSO

Area of Interest 2.3 Multi-Threat & Swarm Defeat topic under Air Force CSO

Pitch scheduling deadline July 24, 2026 Latest date to schedule formal pitch session

Pitch completion deadline September 14, 2026 Latest date by which pitch session must be conducted

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jul 08 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Jul 08	Industrial order win	Positive	+0.0%	Six-figure order from REXA for industrial laser cleaning system.
Jun 30	Governance / warrants	Neutral	+0.0%	Stockholder approval of Series A-5 and A-6 warrant inducement agreements.
Jun 29	Corporate update	Negative	-3.5%	CEO health-related leave and mixed operational update across programs.
Jun 23	Defense recognition	Positive	+1.4%	USSOCOM recognition of laser-based solution brief with potential for follow-on steps.
Jun 18	Product launch	Positive	-14.2%	Launch of advanced laser wire processing solution for avionics and military.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent news for LASE has generally aligned with price direction, with one notable divergence on a product launch that coincided with a sharp decline.

Key Terms

commercial solutions opening, counter-unmanned aerial system, directed-energy, swarm defeat

4 terms

commercial solutions opening regulatory

"Battle Lab Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) evaluation process for its Laser Shield"

A commercial solutions opening is an announcement that a company is starting or expanding the real-world sale, distribution, or customer support of a product or service beyond testing or development stages. For investors it signals a shift toward generating ongoing revenue and scaling operations—like a bakery moving from recipe trials to opening its doors to customers—so it can affect near-term sales expectations, cost structure, and the company’s growth outlook.

counter-unmanned aerial system technical

"evaluation process for its counter-unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology, with LSAD"

A counter-unmanned aerial system is equipment and software designed to find, track and stop drones that pose a threat, using sensors, jammers, nets or other means to disable or remove them. Investors care because demand for these systems rises with threats to infrastructure and events, creating revenue opportunities for suppliers while also affecting risk profiles, contracts, regulatory approvals and defense budgets like a security system protecting a factory or airport.

directed-energy technical

"underscores the mission relevance of our directed-energy approach to countering"

Directed-energy describes technology that sends concentrated beams of light, radio waves, or microwaves to produce an effect at a distance, similar to using a focused flashlight rather than a room lamp. For investors, it matters because development, manufacturing, and deployment of these systems can drive defense and industrial spending, create intellectual property and export rules, and affect revenue and risk profiles for firms involved in advanced electronics and materials.

swarm defeat technical

"Areas of Interest 2.1 (Rapid Point Defense) and 2.3 (Multi-Threat & Swarm Defeat)"

A set of tactics, systems and technologies designed to detect, disrupt or destroy coordinated groups of small, autonomous devices (often drones) operating together as a swarm. Like a goalie coordinating moves to stop several players at once, swarm defeat focuses on protecting assets and infrastructure from many fast-moving threats at once, and it matters to investors because demand for these countermeasures affects revenues and risk exposure for companies in defense, security, and related supply chains.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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ORLANDO, FL / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2026 / Laser Photonics Corporation (NASDAQ:LASE) ("Laser Photonics" or the "Company"), a global leader in laser systems for industrial and defense applications, together with Fonon Technologies, an affiliated company within the LASE Group of Companies, today announced that Fonon Technologies has been invited to advance to Step 2 of the U.S. Air Force Shaw Air Force Base (AFB) Battle Lab Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) evaluation process for its Laser Shield Anti-Drone (LSAD) technology.

Following the successful evaluation of the Company's solution brief, submitted under Areas of Interest 2.1 (Rapid Point Defense) and 2.3 (Multi-Threat & Swarm Defeat), the U.S. Air Force has invited the LASE Group's Fonon Technologies to present its technology during a formal pitch session with the evaluation panel. During the session, the team will provide further detail on the solution's technical viability, business viability, deployment approach, and commercialization potential. The pitch session is required to be scheduled by July 24, 2026, and will be conducted no later than September 14, 2026.

The Battle Lab CSO is a competitive, multi-phase government evaluation process comprising solution briefs, pitch sessions, and full written proposals. This milestone highlights the continued engagement between the LASE Group's Fonon Technologies and the U.S. Air Force as the Company advances through the evaluation process for its counter-unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology, with LSAD progressing through the initial screening phase and now selected for further evaluation. Solutions that advance beyond the pitch session have the potential to be invited to submit full written proposals for consideration.

Management Commentary

"This invitation reflects the continued engagement between the LASE Group and the U.S. Air Force as our LSAD technology advances through a competitive evaluation process," said Ann Taweri, Interim President of Laser Photonics. "Progressing through the initial screening phase and being selected for further evaluation underscores the mission relevance of our directed-energy approach to countering unmanned aerial threats. Our solution brief addressed two priority areas of interest for the Air Force, rapid point defense and multi-threat and swarm defeat, and we look forward to presenting LSAD's capabilities and its readiness to support the warfighter against evolving small UAS threats."

For more information about Laser Photonics' portfolio of industrial and defense laser systems, please visit laserphotonics.com.

About Fonon Technologies

Fonon Technologies is a diversified industrial laser equipment provider serving government organizations, all branches of the U.S. military, and defense contractors. Led by a team with deep expertise in military and naval operations, the company tackles the challenges of defense maintenance, repair, overhaul and protection with advanced laser solutions. For more information, visit www.fonon.us.

About Laser Photonics Corporation

Laser Photonics Corporation (NASDAQ:LASE) is a global leader in laser systems for industrial and defense applications. The Company develops and manufactures advanced laser technologies used in cleaning, surface preparation, and precision material processing across demanding operating environments. Laser Photonics serves a broad range of end markets, including defense and government, aerospace, energy, maritime, automotive, and advanced manufacturing. Through a combination of internal development, strategic acquisitions, and partnerships, the Company continues to expand its product portfolio and address new applications where performance, efficiency, and environmental considerations are critical. For more information, please visit laserphotonics.com.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements are based on current expectations as of the date of this press release and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding the Company's participation in the Shaw AFB Battle Lab CSO evaluation process, the scheduling and outcome of the pitch session, and the potential for the LSAD technology to advance to subsequent phases of the evaluation, including any invitation to submit a full written proposal. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impacts of federal government funding disruptions and shutdowns on our contracts, operations, capital-raising activities, and strategic initiatives. We encourage readers to review the "Risk Factors" in our Registration Statement and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a comprehensive understanding. Laser Photonics Corp. undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws or regulations, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

Investor Relations Contact

Lucas A. Zimmerman & Ian Scargill
MZ Group - MZ North America
(262) 357-2918
LASE@mzgroup.us
www.mzgroup.us

SOURCE: Laser Photonics Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What did Laser Photonics (LASE) announce about Fonon Technologies and the U.S. Air Force on July 15, 2026?

Laser Photonics announced that Fonon Technologies advanced to Step 2 of the U.S. Air Force Shaw AFB Battle Lab CSO evaluation for its LSAD anti-drone technology. According to the company, this follows successful review of its solution brief under two Air Force priority areas.

What is the Laser Shield Anti-Drone (LSAD) technology evaluated for by the U.S. Air Force Battle Lab?

LSAD is a directed-energy counter-unmanned aerial system designed to address rapid point defense and multi-threat and swarm defeat. According to Laser Photonics, the technology is being evaluated within the Shaw AFB Battle Lab CSO competitive multi-phase process.

What are the next steps in the U.S. Air Force Battle Lab CSO process for Fonon Technologies’ LSAD?

The next step is a formal pitch session with the evaluation panel, required to be scheduled by July 24, 2026, and held by September 14, 2026. According to the company, only solutions advancing beyond the pitch may be invited to submit full proposals.

Does advancing to Step 2 mean Laser Photonics (LASE) has a contract with the U.S. Air Force?

Advancing to Step 2 does not mean a contract; it only marks further evaluation. According to Laser Photonics, solutions that move beyond the pitch session may later be invited to submit full written proposals for potential consideration.

Which Air Force Areas of Interest does Fonon Technologies’ LSAD address in the Shaw AFB Battle Lab CSO?

LSAD is being evaluated under Area of Interest 2.1 for Rapid Point Defense and 2.3 for Multi-Threat & Swarm Defeat. According to the company, its solution brief specifically targeted these two priority areas for counter-UAS capabilities.

How does the Battle Lab CSO evaluation process work for technologies like LSAD from Laser Photonics’ group?

The Battle Lab CSO is a competitive multi-phase process including solution briefs, pitch sessions, and full written proposals. According to Laser Photonics, LSAD has progressed beyond the initial screening phase into the pitch session stage for further evaluation.