These are the 20 defense companies donating the most money to American politicians

Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman all recently received contracts to develop a laser weapon for US fighter jets.

The three defense companies have also donated more money in the 2018 election cycle than any other company in the industry, according to a new analysis from the Center for Responsible Politics, which draws on the Federal Election Commission's latest political-candidate-contribution report.

The Center for Responsive Politics' numbers include all donor contributions to outside groups and political action committees, as well as individuals giving over $200.

In many cases, it notes, donations don't come from the firms themselves but rather from their PACs, employees or owners, or those individuals' immediate families.

Here's what they found.