RTX Ventures, the venture capital arm of RTX (NYSE: RTX), has made a minority investment in laser fusion company Xcimer Energy Corporation to support the development of scalable multi-kilojoule-class pulsed-laser technologies.

Alongside the investment, RTX and Xcimer have signed a teaming agreement to explore integrating Xcimer's pulsed-laser technologies into RTX's defense systems, targeting potential directed energy applications for the U.S. military against airborne threats.

The U.S. Department of Energy approved Xcimer's laser fusion energy roadmap in June as part of the DOE's Milestone-based Fusion Development Program, which includes review of Xcimer's fusion pilot power plant design.

Xcimer's excimer laser system is designed to fire pulses repeatedly at a low cost per joule while remaining mass-manufacturable, energy efficient, and maintainable — characteristics relevant to both laser fusion energy and directed energy defense applications.

"This investment from RTX Ventures will help us accelerate development and prove these advantages in real-world testing," said Conner Galloway, co-founder, CEO and Chief Science Officer at Xcimer.

RTX Chief Technology Officer Juan de Bedout said the company believes Xcimer's pulsed-laser technology aligns with RTX's work in advanced sensing, command and control, and air defense.