American company AeroVironment received contract for supplying U.S. Army with Locust X3 combat lasers. Agreement provides for supplying serial products totaling $464.8 million and is implemented within Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program.
As company notes, this is first case in U.S. when serial directed energy system samples are ordered. At same time they solve main counter-drone system problem — ammunition dependence. Because, as AeroVironment notes, cost of shooting down drone with Locust X3 is only $5 — genuine pennies compared to even APKWS rockets or even anti-aircraft programmable detonation rounds.
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Specific ordered combat laser quantity, delivery rates and timelines are not named. However AeroVironment noted agreement covers delivery of dozens of Locust X3 laser systems over coming several years.
Defense Express notes Locust X3 is third system iteration, whose previous versions were previously actively tested by U.S. armed forces. It has power up to 30 kW and can engage Group 1-3 drones per NATO classification, meaning UAVs with takeoff mass up to 600 kg and speed up to 460 km/h.
Besides increased power, Locust X3 also received AV_Halo targeting system using artificial intelligence algorithms. At same time laser control is maximally simplified, with gaming console joystick used as controller.
Another Locust X3 feature is its modular design. This enables installing it without excessive costs on various platforms, from off-road vehicles to nuclear aircraft carriers.
Regarding the latter, within experiment Locust was installed aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77). At same time this did not involve full integration, which would take significant time — it was simply placed on deck.
In turn, U.S. Army ordered Locust X3 after series of tests conducted at White Sands range in New Mexico in first half of 2026. Transition to serial production of this system is weighty proof AeroVironment managed to solve key problems of similar laser systems.
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