The US Army has officially awarded AeroVironment its first production contract under the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program. The contract is valued at $464.8 million.
“This first-of-its-kind directed energy program will give our formations the ability to destroy unmanned systems and dominate from the very start. Combining human ingenuity with advanced technology ensures our army continues to stay ahead of America’s adversaries,” emphasized US Army Deputy Chief of Staff General Christopher LaNeve.
Following successful tests, the Department of Defense reached a special agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), allowing LOCUST to be safely employed in the country’s airspace.
The system has a power output of 30 kW, sufficient to engage small and medium-sized UAVs. The weapon is intended to strengthen layered short-range air defense. AeroVironment has already delivered prototypes to the US Army based on the M1301 ISV light tactical vehicle and the JLTV armored vehicle. The system can also operate as a stationary autonomous container.
Notably, in February 2026, during testing near El Paso, Texas, the LOCUST system accidentally targeted a US Customs and Border Protection drone and successfully shot it down. The incident forced the FAA to temporarily close airspace over the region. However, as program representatives noted with a degree of humor, the laser’s technical capability to instantly engage targets had been proven in practice.
