The US Army is shifting its directed energy strategy by moving away from dedicated laser combat vehicles and embracing a modular approach that turns standard military trucks into counter-drone platforms. AeroVironment secured the manufacturing award for its 30-kilowatt LOCUST X3 system, designed to neutralize Group 1 through Group 3 drones ranging from 9 kg to 600 kg. Operating costs are estimated between $5 and $10 per engagement, offering a high-efficiency alternative to traditional missile defense.
Previous efforts relied on dedicated platforms like the laser-armed Stryker vehicles at Fort Sill, but chronic maintenance and reliability bottlenecks prompted a design overhaul. The new LOCUST X3 sits on a detachable frame that can transfer between standard vehicles in the motorpool. If a transport truck requires mechanical repairs, the weapon system can be quickly detached and moved to another platform, preventing maintenance delays from sidelining vital defensive capabilities.
The system leverages AeroVironment's in-house Halo Pinpoint AI software to manage threat detection, tracking, and target engagement. While the 30-kilowatt output represents a lower-tier power threshold limited by environmental factors like weather and dust, the military plans to field operational units by early 2028. Development partners are already looking toward higher-power applications, supported by a $464.8 million Army contract and a recent international order exceeding $50 million.
US Army shifts to modular AeroVironment lasers for standard trucks
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