April 30 (Reuters) - U.S. defense company Leidos

Holdings ( LDOS ) lifted its annual profit and revenue forecasts

on Tuesday, banking on strong weapons demand and increased

defense spending amid growing geopolitical tensions.

Defense companies are seeing robust demand for weapons from

the United States and its allies following Russia's invasion of

Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East and rising tensions in the

South China Sea.

Leidos ( LDOS ), engaged in hypersonic weapons development, among

others, expects its adjusted full-year profit per share to be

between $8.40 and $8.80, compared with its previous forecast

range of $7.50 to $7.90.

The Reston, Virginia-based company, which counts the U.S.

Department of Defense as its primary customer, also lifted its

2024 revenue forecast range to $16 billion to $16.4 billion,

versus $15.7 billion to $16.1 billion projected in January.

Leidos' ( LDOS ) adjusted profit for the first quarter was at $2.29

per share, compared with $1.47 per share a year ago.

Its quarterly revenue jumped 7.4% to $3.98 billion.