Inside the U.S. Army's tests of AeroVironment's LOCUST, a 20-kW C-UAS laser to counter drones, now on ISV and JLTV with rapid setup and open architecture.
© AeroVironment
The U.S. Army has begun testing the second generation of the LOCUST mobile laser system designed to counter drones. Developed by AeroVironment, the updated weapon mounts on light tactical vehicles and is intended to protect personnel and military infrastructure amid the mass use of unmanned aircraft.
The new LOCUST is a 20-kilowatt-class laser with an enlarged beam-director aperture that, according to the developer, significantly improves its effectiveness against aerial targets. It was built for fast transport and rapid setup across missions—from convoy escort to the defense of bases and critical facilities. The emphasis on agile deployment feels like a pragmatic response to how quickly drone threats evolve.
Over 2025, AeroVironment, working with the military, integrated C-UAS laser systems first on General Motors Defense’s Infantry Squad Vehicle, then announced LOCUST for Oshkosh’s JLTV, the successor to the Humvee. That pairing with established platforms expands the system’s mobility and the ways it can be used in the field.
LOCUST can operate in automatic or manual modes. It features infrared search and multi-target tracking, a gyro-stabilized electro-optical suite, a laser rangefinder, and an open architecture for connecting additional sensors. When needed, an operator can control the system manually, including via a standard game controller.
AeroVironment says earlier versions of LOCUST have been used for more than three years in real-world operations outside the United States, where the system has proven effective against aerial threats. The company adds that the latest upgrades draw on combat experience and are intended to make the laser even more dangerous to drones. Grounding refinements in battlefield feedback is often what turns a promising concept into a dependable tool.