AeroVironment (AV) has secured a $405-million order from an undisclosed Middle Eastern customer for its LOCUST X3 high-energy laser weapon systems, expanding the company’s presence in the directed-energy counter-drone market. The systems are designed to engage Group 1 to 3 unmanned aircraft. AV has not disclosed the buyer’s identity, the number of systems ordered, or the expected delivery schedule. The agreement comes as Middle Eastern militaries face increasing threats from relatively inexpensive attack drones, including Iran’s Shahed series, which can be deployed in large numbers and place pressure on air defense forces to use costly missile interceptors against low-cost aerial threats. AV said LOCUST X3 offers a more cost-effective solution for countering repeated drone attacks. The company also plans to establish a maintenance and sustainment depot in the customer’s country to provide repairs, technical assistance, training, and lifecycle support. LOCUST X3 is AeroVironment’s third-generation directed-energy weapon, designed to destroy small and medium-sized drones using a high-energy laser instead of conventional ammunition. It employs sensors and tracking software to identify aerial targets and maintain accurate laser engagement. The system’s AV_Halo Pinpoint fire-control software is designed to keep the laser focused on maneuvering targets, while integration with external sensors and command-and-control networks allows it to operate within broader defense architectures. Its modular configuration supports deployment at fixed installations and on mobile platforms, protecting military bases, critical infrastructure, and deployed forces. The deal follows wider efforts to transition high-energy laser weapons from testing into operational service. In September, the US Army selected AV’s LOCUST family for its Enduring-High Energy Laser program, under which the company is expected to deliver dozens of systems through a $464.8-million contract.
