Home / Technology / Army Orders Laser Weapons: $465M Contract Awarded
Army Orders Laser Weapons: $465M Contract Awarded
22 Oct
Summary
- US Army awarded $464.8 million contract for laser weapon production.
- Detachable lasers can be transferred between military vehicles.
- Drone destruction costs between $5 and $10 per engagement.
A significant development in military technology has occurred with the US Army awarding AeroVironment a $464.8 million contract for laser weapon production. This initiative focuses on creating modular laser systems that can be readily transferred between standard military vehicles, enhancing battlefield adaptability. The LOCUST X3 system, developed by AeroVironment, is specifically designed to neutralize drones within Group 1 to 3 categories, ranging from approximately 20 to 1,320 pounds.
This new technology promises cost-effective drone destruction, with each engagement estimated to cost between $5 and $10. A key innovation is the "sled design," which mounts the laser on a detachable frame. This allows the weapon to be moved between platforms, preventing a truck requiring maintenance from immobilizing the laser system. Brig. Gen. Guy Yelverton emphasized the Army's goal to integrate these high-energy lasers into any vehicle in the motorpool.
While the LOCUST X3 is a step forward, it currently engages one drone at a time and its effectiveness diminishes with distance and environmental factors like smoke and dust. The 30-kilowatt X3 is considered among the weaker laser weapons, exclusively countering small drones. The first X3 units are anticipated in early 2028. AeroVironment is also expanding its Albuquerque campus, projecting an addition of 450 jobs and an estimated $670 million economic impact. The Army has reported successful engagements using LOCUST systems, including a drone interception near the southern border on August 25, 2026.
