AeroVironment (AV) has delivered its first two prototypes of the LOCUST mobile counter-drone laser weapon system (LWS) to the US Army. The systems mark the initial phase of the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) program, which seeks to equip Infantry Squad Vehicles with 20-kilowatt lasers for defense against aerial threats.
The program was originally awarded to BlueHalo in April 2023 under a $45.7-million contract, before the company was acquired by AeroVironment and rebranded as AV. The LOCUST design employs a sensor-agnostic, plug-and-play architecture, enabling compatibility with multiple RF bands and sensor types for flexible threat detection.
Key features include multi-target infrared tracking, automated detection, and rapid engagement switching between drones. To simplify field use, AV integrated a gaming controller-style operator interface, reducing training requirements and ensuring fast responses during complex missions.
Further enhancing its effectiveness, the system provides real-time threat overlays on high-definition video feeds and integrates seamlessly with modern command-and-control networks. Its modular build allows deployment across both mobile and fixed platforms. The prototypes were assembled at AV’s Directed Energy facility in New Mexico and underwent successful trials at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, prior to delivery.
