U.S. Army receives new mobile laser weapon systems

AeroVironment said it has delivered two Joint Light Tactical Vehicle–mounted mobile counter-unmanned aircraft system laser weapon systems to the U.S. Army.

According to a company announcement dated December 18, 2025, the systems were delivered as part of the second increment of the Army’s Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser, or AMP-HEL, prototyping effort. The systems were provided to the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, which is now integrated into the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires as part of the Army’s ongoing acquisition reforms.

The newly delivered systems place AeroVironment’s LOCUST Laser Weapon System on the Oshkosh-built JLTV platform. The second-increment configuration uses the same 20-kilowatt-class LOCUST laser as earlier prototypes, but features a larger aperture beam director intended to improve lethality performance against uncrewed aerial systems.

In September, the company delivered the first increment of AMP-HEL prototypes, consisting of two LOCUST systems integrated on the General Motors Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle platform. The JLTV-based configuration expands the laser system’s mobility and protection options for Army units operating in forward areas.

“AV continues to deliver proven, efficient, modular laser weapon systems that perform and protect in real-world threat environments,” said Mary Clum, President of Space, Cyber & Directed Energy at AeroVironment. “Integrated as part of these AMP-HEL systems, LOCUST is a cost-effective, rugged, precise, and scalable solution that is addressing the ever-evolving UAS threats our warfighters are facing on frontlines today. With the technology proven, we remain focused on advancing capabilities while scaling manufacturing to meet the growing demand.”

AeroVironment’s work on directed-energy systems predates the AMP-HEL effort. The company delivered its first LOCUST laser to the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office in 2022 under the Palletized-High Energy Laser program. Since then, LOCUST-equipped systems have been deployed operationally outside the United States for more than three years.

According to the company, those early deployments informed improvements now reflected in the current AMP-HEL configurations. The LOCUST-equipped P-HEL systems, which have since been integrated into the AMP-HEL program, have carried out counter-UAS missions during real-world combat operations.

“Directed energy is no longer a future concept—it is a proven force-protection capability,” said John Garrity, Vice President of AeroVironment’s Directed Energy business unit. “Since deployed, LOCUST-equipped P-HEL systems have actively protected warfighters, allies, and critical infrastructure against aerial threats. With LOCUST’s target acquisition, tracking and precision beam control, warfighters have an easy-to-use, reliable, trusted, and proven solution against the very real and evolving threats of modern warfare.”

The Army’s interest in mobile laser systems reflects growing concern over the proliferation of low-cost drones and other aerial threats that can challenge traditional air defense systems. Laser weapons offer a potential option for sustained defense, using electrical power rather than expendable interceptors to engage targets.

AeroVironment said its directed-energy systems are designed to be platform-agnostic and rapidly deployable. The systems are integrated with Army command-and-control architectures and can be mounted on a range of platforms, including fixed-site base defense installations and maneuver units. In addition to the ISV and JLTV, LOCUST systems have also been integrated on the Light Medium Tactical Vehicle.

The AMP-HEL effort is part of a broader push by the U.S. Army to experiment with and mature directed-energy technologies before committing to large-scale procurement. By fielding prototype systems to operational units, Army officials aim to evaluate performance, reliability, and sustainment under realistic conditions.