US Army tests 20,000W vehicle-mounted laser systems for drone defense — updated LOCUST device is now more lethal against drones

The U.S. Army is now testing a more lethal 20kW vehicle mounted LOCUST laser weapon system from AeroVironment (AV) Inc.

The US Army's formerly bulky laser weapon, Locust, is now a mobile drone-killer

The US Army is now mounting defense contractor AeroVironment's second-generation Locust Laser Weapon System on some of its ...
Morning Overview on MSN

The Army’s laser locust just shrank into a drone hunter on wheels

The U.S. Army’s latest laser weapon is no longer a bulky science project strapped to a shipping pallet. It has been squeezed ...

U.S. Army Evaluates Next-Generation Mobile Laser to Counter Drone Threats

The U.S. Army has begun testing an upgraded version of a vehicle-mounted laser weapon designed to combat the growing danger ...
New Atlas

Laser weapons go mobile on US Army small vehicles

Laser weapons go mobile as the US Army takes delivery of two 20-kW, anti-drone Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)-mounted Laser-Oriented Counter-UAS System (LOCUST) Laser Weapon Systems (LWS) from ...
Morningstar

AV Delivers JLTV-Mounted LOCUST Laser Weapon Systems to U.S. Army

AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leading provider of counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) technologies, today announced the successful delivery of two Joint Light Tactical Vehicle ...

AeroVironment (AVAV) Is Up 13.8% After New U.S. Directed‑Energy and Robotics Contracts

AeroVironment recently delivered two JLTV-mounted LOCUST laser weapon systems to the U.S. Army, showcased its electronic warfare sensors on PteroDynamics’ Transwing VTOL drone at Silent Swarm 25, and ...

AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV) Gains Bullish Coverage as Defense and Space Exposure Expands

On December 19, 2025, KeyBanc initiated coverage of AVAV with an Overweight rating and a $285 price target, highlighting the ...