AeroVironment (AV) has received its first international purchase order for its LOCUST laser weapon system, valued at more than USD50 million, the company announced on 8 September.
The direct commercial sale covers an initial delivery of LOCUST systems and associated support. AV said the order follows the US Army’s recent selection of LOCUST for its USD464.8 million Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) programme, under which the company will produce the system for counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) operations.
LOCUST is a high-energy laser system designed to detect, track and engage Group 1–3 UAS and other aerial threats. The modular system can be deployed at fixed sites or in palletised and mobile configurations and can integrate with cueing sensors and command-and-control (C2) networks.
AV said the international order follows several years of testing and operational use of LOCUST, including live-fire demonstrations and integrations with US military platforms. The company did not identify the international customer or country involved.
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(Image: AeroVironment)
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