AeroVironment (AV) has received a USD405 million international direct commercial sales order for its LOCUST X3 high-energy laser weapon systems, expanding the company’s counter-uncrewed aircraft system (C-UAS) business in the Middle East.
Announced on 11 November, the order covers systems designed to counter Group 1-3 uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). AeroVironment has not disclosed the customer or the country in which the systems will be deployed.
LOCUST X3 is designed to provide a directed-energy option within layered air defence architectures, operating alongside radar, command-and-control systems and kinetic weapons. The company says the laser offers a low-cost-per-engagement alternative to conventional missile interceptors, particularly against persistent or high-volume drone threats.
According to AeroVironment, the system combines rapid engagement with a magazine capacity primarily limited by available power and thermal management, allowing it to engage successive targets without conventional ammunition resupply.
The company also plans to establish an in-country maintenance and sustainment depot to provide regional repair, technical support, training and lifecycle services. The location of the planned facility has not been disclosed.
AeroVironment said the order reflects growing demand for directed-energy systems as military and security organisations seek more cost-effective ways to counter increasingly widespread uncrewed aircraft threats.
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Image: AV
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