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AV Unveils LOCUST® X3: Third-Generation Modular Directed Energy Weapon System

March 24, 2026

ARLINGTON, Va., March 24, 2026 – AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global defense technology leader, today announced the release of LOCUST® X3, the third generation of AV’s high-energy laser weapon system that delivers precise, speed-of-light engagement for rapid defeat of unmanned aerial threats. 

LOCUST X3 builds on lessons learned from widely deployed systems to set a new standard in modular, AI-enabled drone defense—delivering unprecedented precision, scalability, and operational flexibility to defeat current and emerging aerial threats, including Group 1-3 unmanned aircraft systems and unmanned surface vehicles.  

Recently featured by CBS News’ 60 Minutes, the LOCUST X3 offers cost-effective engagements below $5 per shot and sustained defense without the reload limitations of traditional defense systems, LOCUST X3 offers a transformative solution for modern air defense.  

“In today’s rapidly evolving battlespace, adversaries are deploying mass drone attacks and saturation tactics that threaten mission success and warfighter survivability,” said Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer at AV. “With LOCUST X3, we deliver an affordable, scalable solution to outpace and neutralize large-scale aerial threats, safeguard critical infrastructure, and maintain decisive advantage wherever the fight demands.” 

The new LOCUST X3 features a scalable 20–35+ kilowatt laser, a modular beam director, and advanced AI-enabled detection, tracking, and engagement automation powered by AV_Halo™ PINPOINT, part of the company's hardware-agnostic software platform for layered counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) defense. 

Aligned with Department of War’s mandated Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles, LOCUST X3 enables rapid upgrades and seamless integration across both fixed and mobile defense platforms. LOCUST X3 builds on the proven legacy of the LOCUST platform, which has been successfully fielded through the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) and Palletized High Energy Laser (PHEL) programs, and validated on platforms like the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) and the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV). 

“LOCUST X3 transforms how defenders respond to the challenge of massed drone attacks,” said Mary Clum, President of AV’s Space, Cyber & Directed Energy segment. “Its modular design and advanced AI allow for resilient, adaptive protection of critical assets—on any platform, at the tactical edge or at fixed sites. With LOCUST X3, operators can now counter high-volume threats with unmatched speed, precision, and affordability.” 

LOCUST X3: Precise, Persistent, and Production-Ready for Modern Defense 

Designed for persistent counter-UAS defense, LOCUST X3 offers: 

  • Maintainability and Maneuverability in the Field: The LOCUST X3 is battle tested, leveraging hundreds of lessons learned from prior deployments that drive system performance, and field maintainability—particularly in dynamic, high-density threat environments. 
  • Platform Agnostic: The LOCUST X3 is ready for the fight today and in the future, regardless of configuration and platform. Seamless integration on tactical vehicles (e.g., JLTV, ISV), fixed sites for broad platform and mission compatibility, or scaled for maritime environments.  
  • Producibility In Mind: The third-generation LOCUST technology optimized for repeatable manufacturing and force-wide deployment. Built with modular subsystems and dual-use, commercially mature components to enable rapid production ramp, reduced unit cost at scale, and sustainable long-term support. 
  • Scaled Lethality: The LOCUST X3 leverages best of breed laser capability to scale the lethality of the system to be right sized from low power configurations to high power 30kW+ configurations to be right sized for all customer missions and needs. 
  •  AV_Halo PINPOINT Precision: AV’s exclusive software delivers unmatched precision in acquisition, targeting and pointing. This removes the burden on the operator and allows them to focus on the mission while providing seamless tracking, identification, and defeat.