The U.S. Army has awarded a $465 million contract to AeroVironment, Inc. for the LOCUST X3, a 30-kilowatt laser system designed to be mounted on vehicles for use against drones. This system targets "Group 3" drones—unmanned aerial vehicles that weigh up to 1,350 pounds and can carry payloads of 125 pounds over distances of 8 miles. The LOCUST X3 is being marketed as a "Group 3 killer" and is intended to be part of a multi-layered defense strategy to protect military personnel and assets from drone-based threats. One of the standout features of the LOCUST X3 is its user-friendly interface. Operators can control the laser using an Xbox controller, a design choice aimed at making the system more accessible to a wide range of military personnel, including soldiers, sailors, airmen, and members of the Space Force. AeroVironment’s John Garrity explained that this familiar control method mirrors what users might experience in video games at home, helping to reduce the learning curve for operators. This contract marks a historic milestone, as it is the first production contract awarded for a high-energy laser weapon in U.S. history. After years of development and testing, the system is now moving from the experimental phase to real-world deployment. Wahid Nawabi, CEO of AeroVironment, highlighted that the shift from experimentation to operational use reflects the company’s collaboration, innovation, and successful trials with the U.S. Army. AeroVironment’s Aaron Westman described the LOCUST X3 as a system capable of neutralizing a large number of drone threats quickly. The system is designed to handle high volumes of drone attacks, effectively reducing the number of active threats in the area. This capability is especially valuable in light of conflicts with Iran, where drones like the Shahed-136 have been used against U.S. forces. The LOCUST X3’s longer range compared to traditional countermeasures gives it a strategic advantage in countering these types of threats.