Wire flash
TechUS Army awards AeroVironment $465M contract for first laser weapon production
Editorial responsibility
- No named human review is recorded for this page.
- Source reporting is collected, normalized, translated or condensed automatically when needed.
- Automatically published source-backed update
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.
Source report
The U.S. Army has awarded a $464.8 million production contract to AeroVironment, Inc., for the Enduring-High Energy Laser program (E-HEL), marking the first production contract for a directed energy system in U.S. military history, the company announced Wednesday.
System Capabilities
Unlike traditional missile-based systems used to shoot down unmanned aircraft, the E-HEL fires a laser beam at its targets and can reload its magazine through the system's power supply, according to the Army.
"This first-of-its-kind directed energy program will enable our formations to defeat unmanned systems and dominate from the outset," said Vice Chief of Staff of the Army General Christopher LaNeve in an Army statement. "Pairing human ingenuity with advanced technology is what ensures our Army will continue to outpace America's adversaries."
Contract Details
Under the Other Transaction Agreement, AeroVironment will deliver dozens of 30 kW LOCUST laser weapons capable of neutralizing smaller drones classified by the Defense Department as groups one through three. These targets range from miniature UAVs comparable to the Air Force's Wasp III to the Army's RQ-7B Shadow in the larger class.
Program Background
The E-HEL production announcement represents a significant milestone for the service's laser program, following disappointing soldier feedback on the Army's Directed Energy Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) performance in the Middle East.
While those prototypes were designed for the Stryker combat vehicle, AeroVironment's LOCUST X3 laser weapon is platform-agnostic and can be mounted on the Army's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV).
Development and Testing
The E-HEL program builds on the success of the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) prototypes currently in use by U.S. soldiers.
The contract follows successful testing of the LOCUST system at White Sands Missile Range, led by Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) and PAE Fires. These tests demonstrated safe, effective counter-drone operations in U.S. airspace and directly enabled a DOW–FAA safety agreement validating the system for domestic use.
###### Share:
###### More In MilTech
Source
Defense NewsWestern
Part of this Story
U.S. Army awards $464.8 million contract for first production of high-energy laser weapons