U.S. Army Plans Mobile LOCUST X3 Laser Air Defense to Stop Drone Attacks Without Missiles by 2028.

The U.S. Army plans to deploy its first LOCUST X3 high-energy laser weapons by early 2028, as Defense News reported, providing ground forces with a mobile system capable of destroying enemy drones without using conventional missile interceptors. Mounted on Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, the weapons are intended to protect frontline units against growing unmanned aerial threats while reducing reliance on costly air defense ammunition.

AeroVironment’s LOCUST X3 high-energy laser weapon system, displayed at AUSA 2026 in Washington, D.C., is designed to counter enemy drones using directed energy without conventional missile interceptors. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The planned introduction of LOCUST X3 marks another stage in the Army's efforts to move directed-energy weapons from experimental demonstrations into operational military service. Unlike conventional air defense systems, which depend on a limited inventory of interceptor missiles, laser weapons use concentrated energy to disable aerial targets. This approach is particularly relevant against small drones, whose relatively low manufacturing costs and large-scale production make the systematic use of air defense missiles increasingly difficult to sustain.

According to information published by Defense News on October 13, 2026, following discussions with U.S. Army officials during AUSA 2026 in Washington, the first LOCUST X3 systems could become available for operational deployment between late 2027 and spring 2028. Brigadier General Guy Yelverton, the Army's capability program executive for Defensive Fires, indicated that December 2027 or January 2028 would represent the preferred timeframe, with spring 2028 being the latest anticipated date. The Army intends to complete testing, verification and validation procedures before transferring the weapons to operational units.

The program follows a $464.8 million contract awarded to AeroVironment in September 2026, marking the U.S. Army's first production agreement for a high-energy laser weapon system. According to company representatives, the contract covers more than 26 LOCUST X3 units, with the first scheduled for delivery during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2027. Industrial preparations are already underway, including the early procurement of components requiring extended manufacturing lead times. The agreement establishes a framework for introducing laser weapons into regular Army formations rather than restricting their use to specialized testing units.

Related News: U.S. AeroVironment Mounts LOCUST X3 Laser on MUSKOX Unmanned Vehicle to Counter Mass Drone Attacks

The LOCUST X3 is a third-generation high-energy laser system with scalable power output ranging from 20 to more than 35 kilowatts, depending on configuration. The version selected for the E-HEL program uses a 30-kilowatt laser. Compared with earlier LOCUST generations, primarily equipped with 20-kilowatt lasers, the X3 features increased power and a larger beam exit aperture, intended to improve energy concentration at greater engagement distances. These modifications aim to extend its capabilities beyond small reconnaissance drones, particularly against Group 3 unmanned aircraft, which include attack drones comparable to the Iranian-designed Shahed family. The weapon concentrates its beam on a specific area of the target to progressively damage structural components, propulsion systems or other elements essential for sustained flight.

The system also incorporates a modular beam director and AeroVironment's AV_Halo PINPOINT fire-control software. This technology provides detection, tracking and precise laser pointing against moving aerial targets, with automated functions designed to maintain energy concentration despite aircraft movement. Such precision is particularly relevant when engaging maneuvering drones, as the beam must remain focused on a specific area long enough to achieve the intended effect. LOCUST X3 also uses a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) architecture, allowing the integration of different active or passive sensors and the reception of information from command-and-control networks. This design facilitates technical upgrades without requiring replacement of the entire weapon.

The modular architecture of LOCUST X3 allows installation on different military vehicles or deployment in fixed and palletized configurations. The first U.S. Army version will be integrated onto the JLTV, while AeroVironment is also considering adaptation to the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV). The LOCUST family already has experience in operational environments, including deployments along the southern U.S. border. During a demonstration conducted in October 2026, a directed-energy prototype reportedly completed eight successful engagements against drones. Army engineers are also focusing on field-level maintenance, allowing soldiers to replace individual components and keep the systems operational during extended missions.

LOCUST X3 is intended to provide mobile short-range defense against reconnaissance drones, loitering munitions and attacks involving multiple unmanned aircraft. Mounted on tactical vehicles, it could accompany maneuver units and protect command posts, logistics convoys, ammunition depots and forward operating bases. Its main advantage lies in the ability to engage successive targets without consuming costly interceptor missiles. AeroVironment estimates an engagement cost of less than five dollars, a figure that excludes overall acquisition and support expenses. Atmospheric conditions, line-of-sight requirements, available electrical power and the time needed to concentrate energy on a target remain determining factors in laser engagements. The system is therefore intended to complement electronic warfare equipment, anti-aircraft guns and missiles within a layered air defense architecture.

The U.S. Army's 7th Infantry Division has been mentioned as a possible formation for the initial integration phase, although the service has not confirmed where the first systems will be deployed. Military officials are prioritizing reliability, simplified maintenance procedures and operator training to facilitate their introduction into ground units. The objective is to establish high-energy lasers as regularly employed weapons, supported by an adapted logistics structure and production capacity capable of sustaining their gradual deployment.

The planned introduction of LOCUST X3 forms part of a broader international effort to reduce the growing imbalance between the low cost of attack drones and the expense of intercepting them. Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have demonstrated how relatively inexpensive unmanned aircraft can threaten military installations, logistics networks and critical infrastructure. For the United States, deploying mobile laser weapons offers an additional means of protecting forces stationed abroad while preserving conventional air defense missiles for more complex threats. As Russia, China and other military powers expand their unmanned capabilities, the transition from experimental lasers to serially produced weapons could influence future NATO air defense requirements and accelerate the integration of directed-energy systems across allied armed forces.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests include security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.

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