News
September 03, 2026
ARLINGTON, Virginia. AeroVironment won a $464.8 million contract from the U.S. Army Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Fires (PAE Fires) program office for the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, the company announced in a statement.
Under the Other Transaction Agreement (OTA), AeroVironment will deliver dozens of LOCUST X3 laser weapon systems over the next several years to support the Army’s layered air defense against group 1-3 uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), the statement reads. The company describes the award as the first production contract for directed energy systems in the United States, marking a shift from prototype to production for laser weapons. AeroVironment will also provide system support and training, the statement adds.
The LOCUST X3 is a 30-kilowatt system designed for integration with multiple platforms, including the Army’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), with palletized configurations as an option and Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) integration under review, the company says. The program builds on Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) prototypes and follows testing at White Sands Missile Range led by Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) and PAE Fires. Production will be supported by a $30 million investment in the company’s Albuquerque, New Mexico, facility announced in March 2026.
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