AeroVironment has delivered two additional LOCUST laser weapon systems to the US Army under the service’s Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) program. The delivery advances the Army’s efforts to develop mobile directed-energy solutions designed to protect small ground units from unmanned aerial threats.
The AMP-HEL initiative, awarded in 2023 to AeroVironment’s subsidiary BlueHalo, focuses on prototyping high-energy laser systems for counter-drone operations. The newly delivered LOCUST systems are mounted on Oshkosh Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and feature a 20-kilowatt laser paired with a larger aperture beam director, enhancing lethality against aerial targets.
The handover follows the Army’s acceptance of the first two AMP-HEL laser systems in September, which were integrated onto GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicles. While those earlier units featured a smaller beam director, they operated within the same 20-kilowatt power class, validating the scalability of the LOCUST architecture.
AeroVironment’s LOCUST system uses multi-band radio frequency sensors to detect, track, and identify drones, providing 360-degree coverage for dismounted forces. The platform can be equipped with optional cameras to extend its visual field of view and employs a high-powered optical laser capable of burning through targets in flight, neutralizing hostile reconnaissance and attack drones.
