Portuguese 
The U.S. Army signed its first production contract for a high-energy laser weapon on September 2: the $464.8 million agreement with AeroVironment provides for dozens of 30 kW LOCUST X3 systems to combat drones.
The decision moves the Enduring-High Energy Laser program, known as E-HEL, beyond the prototype phase. Instead of testing a few experimental units, the force is now preparing to establish a sustained operational capability.
The Army’s official announcement did not provide a unit delivery schedule. The manufacturer stated it will supply dozens of systems over the coming years, along with training and support for operators.
The primary target includes unmanned aerial systems from groups 1 to 3. This range covers everything from small drones to larger unmanned aircraft, whose proliferation has increased the cost of protecting bases, troops, and infrastructure.
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The promised advantage lies not just in beam speed. The E-HEL uses electrical power, offers a low cost per shot, and replenishes its “magazine” as long as power is available to the system.
$464.8 Million Contract Scales Up Military Laser
AeroVironment assigned the contract a value of $464.8 million. The instrument is an Other Transaction Agreement, a format used by the U.S. government to accelerate research, development, and procurement projects outside of some traditional processes.
The Army was more cautious with commercial numbers but confirmed the unprecedented nature: this is the force’s first production contract for a high-energy laser weapon system.
This milestone is significant as it demonstrates that the technology has reached a level deemed sufficient for mass procurement. Nevertheless, production does not mean that all operational limitations have been overcome.
Lasers depend on electrical generation, cooling, sensors, precise tracking, and suitable atmospheric conditions. Rain, dust, smoke, or turbulence can interfere with the path between the emitter and the target.
Therefore, the Army itself presents the E-HEL as part of a layered defense strategy. The equipment is intended to work alongside sensors, electronic warfare, guns, and interceptors, rather than replacing them in all situations.
The LOCUST X3 Delivers 30 kW and Can Switch Platforms
The version announced by the manufacturer operates at a power of 30 kilowatts. Its design does not confine it to a single vehicle, allowing the module to be combined with various fixed, semi-mobile, and ground platform positions.
AeroVironment mentioned integration with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, the JLTV, and configurations on pallets. It also reported studying the installation of the system on the Infantry Squad Vehicle in a future phase.
In the Army’s design, the architecture employs eleven main interfaces. The intention is to swap components, receive upgrades, and connect new features without rebuilding the entire equipment with each technological evolution.
This modular concept addresses a military procurement challenge. Drones and tactics change rapidly, while a defense platform may remain in service for many years.
The LOCUST combines the emitter with tracking and fire control. The company asserts that its AV_Halo software layer assists with detection, decision-making, and engagement, but has not disclosed hit rates for the contracted batch.
Low Cost Per Shot Addresses the Economics of Cheap Drones
Economic logic helps explain the urgency. Taking down a simple drone with a sophisticated missile can impose a much greater cost on the defender than that paid by the attacker.
The laser changes this equation because each engagement mainly consumes electricity. The Army did not publish an exact price per shot in the statement, but highlighted that it is much lower than that of kinetic interceptors.
There is also no physical beam storage. As long as the system has power and can manage the generated heat, the so-called regenerative charger can fire again without receiving a new box of ammunition.
This reduces logistical weight, but shifts the dependency to generators, batteries, fuel, and cooling. Real autonomy will be determined by the complete system, not just by the nominal power of the laser.
Against swarms, the speed of aiming and the time required to stay over each target will be crucial. The contract confirms institutional confidence, but detailed performance data remains military.
Testing at White Sands Paved the Way for Production
According to AeroVironment, the LOCUST underwent field testing at the White Sands testing range. The demonstrations involved operations against drones in U.S. airspace and contributed to security coordination among defense and aviation authorities.
The program also leverages experiences from the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser prototypes. Thus, the current purchase did not arise from a single trial but from a sequence of development, integration, and evaluation.
To increase production, the company linked the contract to a $30 million investment in its facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, announced in March 2026.
The factory will need to transform optical, electronic, and thermal components into dozens of repeatable units. This standardization is a different step from building a prototype accompanied by an engineering team.
Training military personnel and sustaining the equipment in the field are also part of the agreement. A laser available only with manufacturer specialists would not meet the objective of a lasting Army capability.
What the First Production Purchase Still Does Not Address
The announcement does not detail the exact quantity, schedule for each unit, effective range, or deployment locations. It also does not present combat results that allow for comparison of the system with other anti-drone solutions.
These gaps prevent us from concluding that the E-HEL has independently resolved short-range air defense. The confirmed milestone is more specific: the technology has moved out of experimental development and received a production order.
If the system maintains availability, accuracy, and engagement rate outside of the testing environment, it may reserve expensive missiles for threats that truly require kinetic interception.
Layered defense thus gains an electrical option between electronic interference and projectile destruction. Its value will depend on how sensors, command, and power supply are integrated.
The anti-drone laser E-HEL contract does not end the race against unmanned aircraft. It registers that, for the U.S. Army, the high-energy beam is finally ready to enter mass production.
Do you believe electric lasers will truly reduce the cost of defending against swarms of drones?
