AeroVironment successfully demonstrated its LOCUST high-energy laser system in a major counter-drone test at White Sands Missile Range, marking a significant step toward operational deployment of directed energy systems in national airspace.
The test, conducted in coordination with Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), validated the system’s ability to safely and precisely engage unmanned aerial threats in complex, real-world airspace conditions.
During the evaluation, the LOCUST system demonstrated accurate engagement of both stationary and moving drone targets, highlighting its effectiveness against evolving unmanned threats. The test also confirmed advanced safety mechanisms, including automated shut-off features and strict target verification protocols, ensuring that only identified threats were engaged.
Importantly, the demonstration showed no disruption to civilian aircraft operations, addressing a key challenge in deploying directed energy systems within shared airspace. The results contributed to regulatory confidence in the system’s safe integration for domestic use.
Officials involved in the programme highlighted the milestone as a step forward in transitioning directed energy technologies from experimental stages to practical defence applications. The system’s ability to deliver precision engagement at the speed of light, combined with a scalable and cost-effective operational model, positions it as a critical component of future air defence architectures.
The LOCUST system is also part of AeroVironment’s broader Halo_Shield architecture, a layered defence solution designed to detect, track, and neutralise aerial threats. The company aims to deploy such systems to protect critical infrastructure, secure borders, and counter the growing risk of drone incursions.
