US Army Awards $465 Million Contract for Laser Weapons

The U.S. Army has awarded defense contractor AV a $464.8 million contract for the production of high-energy laser weapons under the Enduring High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program. This significant award represents the U.S. military's first formal program of record for directed energy capabilities, culminating decades of research and development in laser weapon technology.

The contract mandates AV to equip the Army with 26 units of its 30-kilowatt LOCUST X3 laser weapons over the next five years. These systems are intended to counter the emerging threat posed by low-cost weaponized drones. The X3 is an updated iteration of AV's established LOCUST Laser Weapon System, which has seen operational deployment for counter-drone missions in regions including the Middle East and along the U.S. southern border.

The landmark contract follows earlier reporting on the E-HEL initiative. The Army's fiscal year 2027 budget request had previously outlined plans for procuring two E-HEL systems, with intentions to produce and rapidly field up to 24 additional units within five and a half years.

AV Chairman and CEO Wahid Nawabi stated that the award signifies a pivotal moment for both the company and the future of modern defense, emphasizing the transition of directed energy from experimentation to a fielded capability through years of collaboration with the U.S. Army. AV also announced a $30 million expansion of its manufacturing capabilities in New Mexico earlier this year.

The E-HEL program is part of a broader U.S. military effort to develop and deploy field-ready laser weapons for air defense. While previous laser weapon systems have faced challenges moving from research and development to procurement, this substantial investment signals the Pentagon's commitment to fielding laser weapons as a tangible capability for combat formations.