U.S. Army awards $464.8 million contract for first production of high-energy laser weapons
The U.S. Army awarded a $464.8 million production contract to AeroVironment, Inc. for the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, marking the first production contract for a directed energy system in U.S. military history. Announced on September 3, 2026, the contract will deliver dozens of 30 kW LOCUST laser weapons capable of destroying small drones. The platform-agnostic LOCUST X3 can be mounted on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, following successful testing at White Sands Missile Range.
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US Army awards $465M contract for first production of high-energy laser weapons
The U.S. Army has awarded a $464.8 million production contract to AeroVironment, Inc. for the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, marking the first production contract for a directed energy system in U.S. military history. The contract, announced on September 3, 2026, will deliver dozens of 30 kW LOCUST laser weapons designed to defeat unmanned aircraft systems, specifically drones in groups one through three. Unlike traditional missile-based systems, the E-HEL fires a laser beam and can reload via its power supply. Army Vice Chief of Staff General Christopher LaNeve hailed the program as a first-of-its-kind capability to counter drone threats. The LOCUST X3 laser weapon is platform-agnostic and can be mounted on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). This production award follows disappointing feedback on the earlier Directed Energy Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) prototypes. The E-HEL program builds on successful testing at White Sands Missile Range and a DOW-FAA safety agreement that validated the system for domestic use.
US Army awards $465 million contract for first directed energy laser production
The U.S. Army has awarded a $464.8 million production contract to AeroVironment, Inc. for the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, marking the first production contract for a directed energy system in U.S. military history. The contract, announced on September 3, 2026, will deliver dozens of 30 kW LOCUST laser weapons capable of destroying small drones classified as groups one through three. Unlike traditional missile systems, the E-HEL fires a laser beam at targets and can reload its magazine through the system's power supply. The platform-agnostic LOCUST X3 laser weapon can be mounted on the Army's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). This announcement follows disappointing feedback on the Army's earlier Directed Energy Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) prototypes in the Middle East. The E-HEL program builds on successful testing at White Sands Missile Range led by Joint Interagency Task Force 401, which demonstrated safe counter-drone operations in U.S. airspace and enabled a DOW-FAA safety agreement validating the system for domestic use.
US Army awards $465M contract for first production of high-energy laser weapons
The U.S. Army has awarded a $464.8 million production contract to AeroVironment, Inc. for the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, marking the first production contract for a directed energy system in U.S. military history. The contract, announced on September 3, 2026, will deliver dozens of 30 kW LOCUST laser weapons capable of destroying small drones classified as groups one through three, ranging from miniature UAVs like the Air Force's Wasp III to the Army's RQ-7B Shadow. Unlike traditional missile-based systems, the E-HEL fires a laser beam at targets and can reload via its power supply. Army Vice Chief of Staff General Christopher LaNeve hailed the program as a first-of-its-kind directed energy capability. The LOCUST X3 laser weapon is platform-agnostic and can be mounted on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), unlike earlier prototypes tailored for Stryker combat vehicles. The contract follows successful testing at White Sands Missile Range and builds on the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) prototypes. This award represents a significant milestone for the Army's laser program after disappointing feedback on earlier Directed Energy Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) systems in the Middle East.
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US Army awards $465M contract for first laser weapon production
The U.S. Army awarded a $464.8 million production contract to AeroVironment, Inc. for the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, marking the first production contract for a directed energy system in U.S. military history. The contract, announced on September 3, 2026, will deliver dozens of 30 kW LOCUST laser weapons capable of destroying small drones classified as groups one through three. Unlike traditional missile systems, the E-HEL fires laser beams at targets and can reload via its power supply. Army Vice Chief of Staff General Christopher LaNeve hailed the program as a first-of-its-kind capability to defeat unmanned systems. The LOCUST X3 laser weapon is platform-agnostic and can be mounted on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). The contract follows successful testing at White Sands Missile Range and a DOW-FAA safety agreement validating the system for domestic use. This production award comes after disappointing feedback on earlier Army laser prototypes in the Middle East.
US Army awards $465M contract for first laser weapon production
The U.S. Army awarded a $464.8 million production contract to AeroVironment, Inc. for the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, marking the first production contract for a directed energy system in U.S. military history. The E-HEL system fires laser beams to shoot down unmanned aircraft, reloading via its power supply. Under the agreement, AeroVironment will deliver dozens of 30 kW LOCUST laser weapons capable of defeating small drones (Groups 1-3). The program follows disappointing feedback on the Army's earlier DE M-SHORAD laser prototypes but builds on successful AMP-HEL prototypes. The LOCUST X3 laser weapon is platform-agnostic and can fit on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). Successful testing at White Sands Missile Range, led by Joint Interagency Task Force 401 and PAE Fires, demonstrated safe counter-drone operations and enabled a DOW-FAA safety agreement for domestic use. Army Vice Chief of Staff General Christopher LaNeve hailed the program as a first-of-its-kind directed energy capability.