U.S. Army Awards $464.8 Million Contract for Laser Weapons Production

The United States Army has awarded AeroVironment a landmark $464.8 million contract for the Enduring-High Energy Laser program, marking the first-ever production contract for directed-energy weapons in U.S. history. Announced by the Army Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Fires program office, the agreement utilizes an Other Transaction Agreement to procure dozens of LOCUST X3 laser weapon systems over the next several years. The 30-kilowatt platform-agnostic systems will integrate with tactical vehicles like the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle to provide layered air defense against group one through three unmanned aircraft systems. This milestone follows successful testing at White Sands Missile Range and a Department of Defense-Federal Aviation Administration safety agreement enabling domestic deployment. To support multi-year fielding requirements, AeroVironment committed a $30 million capital investment to expand its Albuquerque, New Mexico production facility. The initiative addresses modern tactical threats by offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional missile defense against massed aerial drone swarms.