# Army awards $464.8m production deal for LOCUST X3 lasers

_Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 5:26 AM EDT · Infrastructure · Latest · Tier 1 — Major_

![Army awards $464.8m production deal for LOCUST X3 lasers — Primary](https://media.thenextweb.com/2026/09/locust-x3-laser-weapon-vehicle-rendering.jpg)

AeroVironment says it received a $464.8 million U.S. Army award for dozens of production LOCUST X3 directed-energy systems, plus support and training, to be delivered over the next few years.

The 30-kilowatt systems are intended for small and medium drones and are planned for mounting on Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, with palletised versions an option. The company says the systems use its AI targeting software within a layered air-defense architecture. The report distinguishes X3 from related 20-kilowatt prototypes used in a late-August Texas operation.

## Sources

- [The Next Web](https://thenextweb.com/news/army-locust-laser-weapon-contract-e-hel-border-drones)

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