Photos: US Army gets mobile truck-mounted laser to kill multiple drones at just $3

AeroVironment has delivered two Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)-mounted LOCUST Laser Weapon Systems to the US Army as part of the Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) prototyping effort. These 20kW-class laser systems feature a larger beam director than previous Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) variants, enhancing their lethality against aerial threats such as drones. The cost to engage a single target with the laser is estimated at just $3, highlighting the system’s cost-effectiveness. The LOCUST systems have been operationally deployed for over three years outside the US, demonstrating high mission success and reliability in real-world threat environments. The LOCUST laser weapons are designed to be platform-agnostic, allowing integration on various vehicles including the JLTV, ISV, and Light Medium Tactical Vehicle, as well as fixed-site base defense installations. This flexibility enables rapid deployment and compatibility with existing Army command-and-control architectures. AeroVironment emphasizes that directed energy weapons