AeroVironment has provided the U.S. Army with two mobile laser weapon systems designed to neutralize unmanned aerial threats. These 20-kW LOCUST units are currently mounted on Infantry Squad Vehicles as part of the initial phase of the AMP-HEL prototyping effort.
The 20-kW LOCUST lasers on GM Defense vehicles
The U.S . Army has integrated AeroVironment's 20-kilowatt class LOCUST LWS onto the General Motors Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) platform. According to the report, this pairing of a high-power directed-energy weaapon with a lightweight, mobile vehicle is intended to provide scalable and expeditionary force protection for soldiers in the field.
The deployment is managed by the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office. By utilizing the ISV platform, the Army is attempting to move directed-energy capabilities away from static installations and into a more agile, deployable format that can keep pace with fast-moving infantry units.
From Albuquerque manufacturing to Fort Sill training
The production of these prototypes took place at AeroVironment's Directed Energy manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Once completed, the systems were moved to the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona for rigorous government acceptance testing to verify their lethality, safety, and mobility under realistic combat conditions.
Following the Arizona tests, the U.S. Army conducted new equipment training for soldiers at Fort Sill, Oklahoma . As the report says,feedback from the troops during these training exercises is being used to refine the system, ensuring the LOCUST LWS remains operationally relevant as airborne threats evolve.
Countering drone swarms with the AMP-HEL program
The Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) program represents a broader strategic shift toward directed-energy solutions. This move echoes a global trend where traditional kinetic interceptors—such as missiles—are becoming too expensive and limited in quantity to counter the low-cost, high-volume nature of modern drone swarms.
John Garrity, Vice President of Directed Energy Systems for AeroVironment, stated that real-world events have made the necessity of these systems unmistakable.. By deploying lasers, the U.S. military aims to reduce the cost-per-shot of air defense, allowing warfighters to engage multiple targets without worrying about ammunition depletion in the same way they would with traditional munitions.
The JLTV delivery and the missing radar specs
AeroVironment is preparing to deliver the second increment of the AMP-HEL program next month. This next phase will feature two Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) equipped with the 20-kilowatt LOCUST LWS, augmented by command-and-control systems and radar .
Despite the progress, several technical details remain undisclosed. It is currently unknown what the effective range of the 20-kW beam is under varying atmospheric conditions, or which specific radar system is being paired with the JLTVs to handle target acquisition. Furthermore, the report does not specify if the current LOCUST LWS can track and engage multiple drones simultaneously or if it is limited to a single-target sequence.
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