US Army targets 2028 for first high-energy laser counter-drone weapons

The Army plans to complete testing and field its first directed-energy counter-drone weapon by early 2028. The system uses a high-energy laser to attack unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS. It matters because the Army is responding quickly to growing drone threats and wants capable systems in soldiers’ hands.

The selected weapon is AeroVironment’s modular, palletized LOCUST X3. The first unit is scheduled for delivery by the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2027. It will be mounted on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, then undergo testing, validation and verification before soldiers receive it.

Brig. Gen. Guy Yelverton called spring 2028 a “far-down point,” while December or January would be an especially strong result. The exact first deployment location remains unclear. The 7th Infantry Division was mentioned as a potential partner, but no final assignment was stated.

A high-energy laser counter-drone weapon directs intense light energy at an unmanned aircraft. The beam can heat, damage or disable important aircraft components. Unlike a missile, it does not launch an explosive projectile toward the target. Unlike a gun, it does not fire bullets or shells.

The Army’s LOCUST X3 is a palletized laser system intended for counter-UAS missions. Its modular design allows integration with vehicles such as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and Infantry Squad Vehicle. The article reports that a directed-energy prototype demonstrated eight kills during Army Modernization Day.

Lasers can offer repeated engagements without carrying conventional ammunition, but they require electrical power and an unobstructed beam path. Atmospheric conditions, distance, target movement and the time needed to hold the beam on a vulnerable area can affect performance. These operating limits are general characteristics of laser weapons, not specific test results reported for LOCUST X3.

AeroVironment’s counter-drone E-HEL contract covers more than 26 LOCUST X3 laser weapon units. That scale moves the program beyond a single demonstration system and toward a broader Army capability. The contract is valued at $464.8 million, according to the article.

The first LOCUST X3 is slated for delivery by Q4 of fiscal year 2027. It will be mounted on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. After delivery, the Army plans to conduct testing, validation and verification before giving the system to soldiers as soon as possible.

AeroVironment said the initial system remained on target for 2027 delivery. The company began long-lead procurements early and was ramping up production. The first unit may be retained for testing and training, but Army officials said capable counter-UAS systems often get deployed because of current operational demand.

A high-energy laser disables or destroys an unmanned aircraft by placing intense energy on a selected area. The energy can heat and damage the airframe, sensors, control surfaces or other components until the aircraft can no longer fly or operate. The article confirms the Army has demonstrated successful directed-energy kills.

The mechanism differs from a missile or gun because the weapon delivers energy through a beam instead of a projectile. It must generally maintain a clear path to the target and keep the beam focused long enough to cause damage. The Army’s prototype achieved eight kills during Army Modernization Day.

General laser limits include rain, fog, dust, smoke and other obstructions that can weaken or scatter the beam. Long distances, fast target movement, vulnerable-area size, available electrical power and cooling can also matter. The article does not report which conditions affected the prototype’s demonstrations or LOCUST X3’s planned tests.

Mounting the laser on vehicles such as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle can make the weapon easier to move and position with operational units. It gives soldiers a counter-drone system that travels on a military platform rather than remaining fixed in one place. The article identifies the JLTV as the first planned vehicle.

The system is palletized and modular, so it can also be integrated onto an Infantry Squad Vehicle. This approach lets the Army adapt the same basic weapon to multiple vehicles. Williams said soldiers should be able to perform field-level maintenance, supporting reliability and sustainability in the field.

Vehicle integration does not make the laser a complete defense by itself. Soldiers would still need to operate, maintain and protect the platform while managing power and engagement demands. The article says the Army wants systems that are easier to maintain and more reliable, while continuing to improve them over time.

The Army is pursuing modular designs because soldiers may need to maintain and improve counter-drone systems in changing operational conditions. A modular weapon can be adapted more easily than a completely integrated unit. This matters when drone threats continue to develop and equipment must remain available.

LOCUST X3 uses a palletized, modular configuration. Kirk Williams said the design should let soldiers perform field-level maintenance, rather than relying entirely on higher-level repair facilities. The same architecture can also be integrated onto several vehicles, including the JLTV and ISV.

The design is intended to improve reliability and sustainability. It also allows the Army to continuously improve the system over time without replacing the full unit. That could help the Army keep pace with unmanned aircraft threats while reducing disruption from major equipment changes. The article does not identify specific future upgrades or replacement components.

A high-energy laser cannot answer every drone threat alone. Its use depends on factors such as available power, a clear beam path and sufficient time to damage a target. Multiple drones or formations can also create more targets than one weapon can handle at once. The article describes directed energy as one component of defense.

Col. Charles Kean said directed-energy weapons could help defend against individual UAS or formations, but were not a “single bullet” solution. The Army is also pursuing low-cost interceptors for missiles and drones. This points toward combining several defensive capabilities rather than relying on one weapon type.

The exact mix of additional systems was not specified. In general, layered counter-UAS defenses can include guns, missiles, electronic systems and other interceptors, depending on the threat and mission. The Army’s broader goal is to field affordable, reliable equipment quickly as adversaries continue using unmanned aircraft.