U.S. Army awards $464.8M contract for laser weapons

The U.S. Army has awarded defense contractor AeroVironment a $464.8 million contract to produce its LOCUST X3 laser weapon systems, marking the military's first formal production order for directed-energy weapons and a significant step toward deploying laser technology as a standard counter-drone capability. The five-year Other Transaction Agreement, announced on September 2, 2026, will see AeroVironment deliver 26 of the 30-kilowatt laser systems to counter the growing threat of low-cost weaponized drones. The contract represents the culmination of years of research and development, transitioning the technology from experimental prototypes to an enduring, fielded capability. The LOCUST X3 is the latest iteration of the company's laser weapon system, which has been used by American service members for counter-drone missions in recent years. The system is designed to neutralize Group 1 through Group 3 unmanned aerial systems, which include small and medium drones that have become prevalent in modern conflicts. "This award marks a defining moment not only for AV, but for the future of modern defense," said AeroVironment Chairman and CEO Wahid Nawabi.