Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
US Army plans modular laser weapons for standard military trucks
The US Army is developing a laser that can move between military vehicles instead of being permanently fitted to one truck.
AeroVironment won an initial manufacturing award in September 2026 for its 30-kilowatt LOCUST X3, designed to target drones weighing about 9 to 600 kilograms.
A detachable frame lets crews transfer the weapon when a vehicle needs repairs, addressing reliability and maintenance problems with earlier laser-equipped Strykers.
The Army says each engagement could cost less than $10, while another estimate puts the cost at $5 per shot.
The laser can engage one drone at a time, and its effectiveness is limited by distance, smoke, dust, weather and available battery power.
The Army expects the first X3 units by early 2028; a separate, more powerful laser system is also in development.
Army claims of successful interceptions have not been independently verified because detailed engagement data has not been released.
The US Army plans to mount modular laser weapons on ordinary military trucks rather than tie them to dedicated vehicles.
AeroVironment won the initial manufacturing award for its 30-kilowatt LOCUST X3 in September 2026.
The detachable laser frame is intended to let crews move the weapon between vehicles, so vehicle repairs do not sideline it.
The X3 is designed to destroy Group 1 to 3 drones, and AeroVironment says each engagement costs less than $10.
The Army expects the first X3 units to be in operation by early 2028.
- Who
- The US Army plans to use the modular laser system. AeroVironment won the initial manufacturing award.
- What
- The Army plans to mount LOCUST X3 laser weapons on ordinary military trucks using detachable frames.
- When
- The initial manufacturing award was made in September 2026. The first units are expected in operation by early 2028.
- Where
- The plan is for Army vehicles; a location for the planned deployments is Not stated.
- Why
- The modular design is intended to keep a weapon available when a vehicle needs maintenance or repair.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Army reactivated an air defense battalion at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for laser-armed Stryker vehicles.
A trade report cited a cost of $5 per LOCUST X3 shot.
The Army attributed a drone interception near the southern border to LOCUST.
AeroVironment won the initial manufacturing award for the 30-kilowatt LOCUST X3.
The Army expects the first X3 units to be in operation.
- Laser model
- LOCUST X3
- Power
- 30 kilowatts; AeroVironment lists output of 20 to 35 kilowatts depending on mission
- Contract value
- $464.8 million
- Target drones
- Group 1 to 3, roughly 9 kg (20 pounds) to 600 kg (1,320 pounds)
- Cost per engagement
- Below $10, according to AeroVironment; a trade report cited $5 per shot
- Expected first operation
- Early 2028
What people are saying
We’re getting to the point where the systems are reliable enough, but we still have to make them maintainable and repairable because this is an Army system
We’re focused on any vehicle in the motorpool. I want to try to integrate future capability of high-energy lasers into it
expects scaling to one megawatt