AeroVironment unveils Locust X3 laser weapon to defeat drone swarms at a five-dollar cost.

AeroVironment, a U.S. defense company, unveiled the Locust X3 laser weapon at the AUSA Global Force 2026 conference, introducing a scalable laser system designed to neutralize drone swarms at minimal cost per engagement.

The Locust X3 delivers 20 to 35+ kilowatts of laser power to defeat Group 1 to Group 3 unmanned threats, providing rapid, speed-of-light interception that reduces reliance on traditional missile-based air defense. Built on U.S. Army high-energy laser programs such as AMP-HEL and PHEL, the Locust X3 integrates a modular architecture, an automated targeting software, and the compatibility with mobile and maritime assets to strengthen any layered air defense effectiveness.

Read also: US Accelerates Laser and Microwave Weapons Deployment to Counter Drone Swarms

The Locust X3's cost per engagement is reported to be below $5, as its energy-based nature provides what is effectively a virtually unlimited magazine, constrained primarily by available power rather than physical munitions such as missiles. (Picture source: AV)

On March 24, 2026, AeroVironment (AV) unveiled the Locust X3 counter-drone laser weapon at the AUSA Global Force conference in response to the increasing use of mass-produced drones in current wars. This third-generation high-energy laser system combines a laser output ranging from 20 to more than 35 kilowatts with modular subsystems and integrated automation software, enabling engagement of Group 1 to Group 3 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) as well as unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). The Locust's concept relies on direct energy transfer at the speed of light, eliminating flight time and reducing dependence on missile inventories.

The Locust X3 is designed to operate across mobile, fixed, and maritime configurations, at a time when low-cost drones, sometimes produced at unit costs below $20,000, are used in large numbers, creating cost imbalances for defenders relying on interceptors costing significantly more per engagement. The Locust X3 was presented at the AUSA Global Force conference in Huntsville, Alabama, and is directly linked to ongoing U.S. Army directed energy efforts. Earlier Locust configurations were fielded through programs such as the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) and Palletized High Energy Laser (PHEL), which integrated 20-kilowatt-class lasers onto vehicles such as the JLTV and the ISV.

These deployments provided operational data on performance, maintenance, and integration with command and control networks. Feedback from these deployments led to design changes in the Locust X3, particularly in modularity, sensor integration, and sustainment. The X3 is also positioned ahead of future U.S. Army procurement activities, including Enduring High Energy Laser (EHEL) programs, where requirements include such mobile, scalable directed energy capabilities. The Locust X3 operates within a 20 to more than 35 kilowatt power range, which places it in the lower to mid-tier of current laser systems used for short-range engagements measured in a few kilometers.

At this power level, the X3 is optimized for small to medium unmanned aerial systems, including quadcopters and larger Group 3 drones, which require sustained laser exposure to disable structural components or onboard electronics. Therefore, the Locust X3 can also engage unmanned surface vehicles, expanding its operational relevance in coastal and maritime environments. Unlike kinetic systems, which require projectile travel and impact, the laser maintains continuous energy on target until the desired effect is achieved. The absence of physical munitions reduces logistical requirements for ammunition storage and resupply.

The Locust system maintains compatibility with existing vehicle-mounted configurations, enabling integration into current force structures without major redesign of deployment concepts. The architecture supports continuous firing for periods measured in minutes, constrained primarily by available power and thermal management capacity, while intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance functions can operate for extended durations measured in days. The Locust X3 is powered by onboard battery banks that supply both the laser and associated subsystems, with the option for maritime configurations to draw directly from ship power systems, eliminating reliance on onboard energy storage.

The modular design includes containerized sensors and line-replaceable units, allowing operators to remove and replace components in the field without returning the system to a maintenance depot, which reduces downtime and supports sustained operations in forward environments. The system has been hardened for maritime and coastal conditions, including mitigation of salt fog and corrosion, which are known to degrade optical and electronic components. These measures are intended to maintain performance in environments where laser systems have historically faced reliability challenges.

The integration of AV's Halo Pinpoint software provides automated detection, tracking, and engagement functions, reducing the number of manual inputs required from operators during target engagement. This system processes sensor data to identify, classify, and track targets, maintaining beam alignment on moving objects to ensure sufficient energy transfer for neutralization. This automation is relevant in scenarios involving multiple simultaneous threats, where manual targeting would introduce delays. The software architecture supports integration with command and control networks, allowing the Locust X3 to operate as part of a layered defense structure rather than as an isolated capability.

The use of automation reduces operator workload and enables faster engagement cycles, as decision-making processes are increasingly assisted by algorithms. The cost per engagement is reported to be below $5, reflecting the energy cost required to generate and sustain the laser beam during engagement. This contrasts with interceptor-based systems, where each engagement requires a missile or projectile that must be replaced after use, often at significantly higher cost. The system’s energy-based operation provides a magazine depth limited by available power rather than stored munitions, enabling sustained engagement over extended periods. The Locust X3 can be deployed on tactical vehicles, fixed installations, or maritime platforms, allowing flexible positioning depending on mission requirements.

This flexibility supports the defense of forward operating bases, critical infrastructure, and naval assets against large numbers of low-cost drones, where traditional air defense systems may be constrained by both cost and reload requirements. However, the Locust X3 retains several constraints inherent to laser weapons, including a limited effective range that does not increase proportionally with higher power output due to atmospheric attenuation and beam dispersion. Environmental factors such as humidity, dust, smoke, and precipitation can reduce beam effectiveness and increase the time required to achieve target effects.

Engagement is limited to one target at a time, requiring sequential targeting that may reduce effectiveness against coordinated swarm attacks. The system also depends on stable power generation and effective cooling systems to maintain performance, which can limit deployment in environments with constrained energy infrastructure. These limitations mean that the Locust X3 cannot replace all existing air defense capabilities. Instead, it must be integrated with other systems, such as electronic warfare, microwave systems, and kinetic interceptors, to address all of the threat spectrum.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.