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ConflictUS Army awards AeroVironment $465M contract for first laser weapon production
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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.
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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.
How the E-HEL System Works
Unlike traditional missile-based systems, the E-HEL fires a laser beam to destroy unmanned aircraft 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 General Christopher LaNeve, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army. "Pairing human ingenuity with advanced technology is what ensures our Army will continue to outpace America's adversaries."
System Specifications
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 include:
- Miniature UAVs comparable to the Air Force's Wasp III
- Larger systems such as the Army's RQ-7B Shadow
A Critical Milestone for Army Laser Programs
The E-HEL production announcement represents a much-needed success 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 specifically 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).
Building on Previous Success
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 LOCUST testing at White Sands Missile Range, led by Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) and PAE Fires. The 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.
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U.S. Army awards $464.8 million contract for first production of high-energy laser weapons