US Army Tests 20,000-Watt Laser to Destroy Drones
▼ Summary
– The U.S. Army is testing the second-generation, vehicle-mounted LOCUST laser weapon system from AeroVironment for rapid deployment against drone swarms.
– This updated system builds on over three years of operational use outside the U.S. and is being integrated onto the Oshkosh JLTV platform for mobility.
– The LOCUST is a 20kW-class laser weapon with an improved, larger aperture beam director for enhanced lethality.
– The system can be operated via automated features like multi-target tracking or manually by an operator using a common game controller.
– AeroVironment states that earlier versions of LOCUST have been operationally deployed for three years, actively protecting personnel and infrastructure from aerial threats.
The U.S. Army is advancing its directed energy capabilities with the latest testing of a powerful, vehicle-mounted laser system designed to counter drone swarms. This second-generation LOCUST Laser Weapon System (LWS), developed by AeroVironment, represents a significant upgrade in mobile force protection. Building on a platform with over three years of operational use, the new LOCUST aims to offer rapid deployment to safeguard personnel and assets across diverse mission environments where aerial threats are proliferating.
Historically, a major hurdle for laser weapons has been their size and weight, limiting mobility. Earlier integration efforts in 2025 saw AeroVironment working with the Army to mount its Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) laser on a General Motors Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle. However, the program has since shifted to utilizing the Oshkosh Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), the military’s modern successor to the Humvee, as its platform. This move underscores a focus on enhanced mobility and ruggedness for frontline deployment.
While full technical specifications remain proprietary, AeroVironment has revealed key features of the upgraded LOCUST. It is a 20,000-watt-class laser system that has been improved with a larger aperture beam director, which increases its effective range and destructive power against targets. The system boasts a flexible control scheme, operating through a combination of automated and manual inputs. Its autonomous functions include multi-target infrared search and track modes, along with advanced gimbaled electro-optical tracking. The architecture is designed to be open, allowing integration with various external sensors. For manual control, an operator can guide the weapon using a familiar interface akin to a common video game controller, assisted by sophisticated subsystems for precise targeting.
The context of this testing is noteworthy given recent claims by other nations about operational laser defenses. Israel’s Ministry of Defense recently announced the first operational deployment of its 100-kilowatt Iron Beam system. AeroVironment, however, emphasizes that its technology is not merely experimental. Company statements indicate that earlier variants of the LOCUST system have been actively used in real-world scenarios for the past three years. John Garrity, Vice President of AeroVironment’s Directed Energy business unit, described the laser systems as “a proven force protection capability,” noting they have actively protected warfighters and critical infrastructure from aerial threats.
This extensive field experience means the technology has been refined through practical combat lessons. Mounting the latest LOCUST iteration on the highly mobile JLTV, combined with its increased lethality, is intended to create a versatile and rapidly deployable defensive asset. The goal is to provide commanders with a reliable, hard-hitting option to neutralize drone swarms and other aerial dangers across an ever-widening spectrum of modern battlefields.
(Source: Tom’s Hardware)