Army awards first-ever laser production contract to AV, with $465M value

WASHINGTON — The Army today announced it has awarded AeroVironment (AV) a contract for the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program of record, marking what the service calls its first-ever production contract for a high-energy laser weapon.

“This first of its kind directed energy program will enable our formations to defeat unmanned systems and dominate from the outset. Pairing human ingenuity with advanced technology is what ensures our Army will continue to outpace America’s adversaries,” Gen. Christopher LaNeve, acting chief of staff of the service, said in the announcement.

Prior to today’s announcement, executives from AV informed reporters of the award, stating that the Army will use AV’s LOCUST X3 laser counter drone system. John Garrity, AV’s vice president of directed-energy systems, said the contract is worth $464.8 million.

“One of the key exciting components of this particular production program is introducing production-directed energy for the first time in the nation’s history,” Garrity said. “It’s purpose built to be ready for all types of warfare around the globe and all types of environments, and so I expect that as we start delivering these LOCUST X3s at scale, they’ll be everywhere and in all combatant commands across the globe because that’s how needed this capability is.”

Directed energy systems such as E-HEL can defeat drones “at a much lower cost than using more expensive kinetic weapons like missiles,” per the Army statement. The E-HEL system is powered by electric energy and created a “lethal” high-energy laser beam.

Under the award, which is an Other Transaction Authority agreement, AV will deliver “dozens” of LOCUST X3 systems to the Army “over the next few years,” Garrity said. The company will be delivering “initial capabilities” within the year, he noted, adding that the company was previously scaling tens of systems a year, but is now capable of scaling “into the 20s per year.” 

“We’ll be scaling well beyond that here in the coming, you know, 12 to 18 to 24 months,” he said. 

The LOCUST X3 is the third LOCUST system in AV’s catalog and is designed to take down drone threats up to Group 3 using a 30kw laser. (Group 3 drones are those that weigh up to 1,320 pounds).

Today’s announcement comes after Breaking Defense reported in July that the Army was “negotiating a contract” with AV for the E-HEL program. The LOCUST X3 was unveiled in March, Breaking Defense also reported at the time. 

Though Garrity would not comment on where the LOCUST X3 could be deployed, he mentioned that the drones used by Iran in current operations “are causing a tremendous amount of harm for our warfighters and our allies overseas.” He added that “they need this capability that is purpose-built to get after that Group 3 effect, compounded with being able to get after Group 1 and 2 as well,” referring to smaller classes of drones that range anywhere from less than 20 pounds up to 55 pounds.

“I think we’re excited about the test results we’ve seen so far, and we’re even more excited about delivering this needed capability to our warfighters and allies across the globe,” he continued. 

Today’s announcement also comes after AV’s 20 kw LOCUST system was deployed near the Southern Border in El Paso, Texas. It’s also been recently tested before Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Garrity also said, so far, the LOCUST family of systems has an overall “kill count in the thousands” on test ranges. 

In terms of how the LOCUST X3 will be deployed, Garrity said he first envisions the systems to be mounted onto the Army’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and Infantry Squad Vehicles, but eventually, he sees them going onto heavier platforms like Strykers.

Overall, the system is “platform agnostic,” Garrity said, so he hopes the LOCUST X3 will eventually be incorporated onto tanks, robots, ships, vessels and more.