US Army orders production of laser systems to counter drones
The US Army has signed a $464.8 million contract with AeroVironment for the production of Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) systems. Under the agreement, the company is to deliver dozens of 30-kilowatt LOCUST laser systems for countering unmanned aircraft, Defense News reports.
According to AeroVironment, this is the first production contract for a directed-energy system in the history of the US armed forces.
Laser to counter drones
The E-HEL system is designed to destroy unmanned aerial vehicles with a laser beam rather than using missiles. According to the US Army, its “magazine” can be replenished through the power system. E-HEL is intended to provide the military with a scalable and affordable directed-energy capability to counter threats from unmanned systems.
In a department statement, US Army Vice Chief of Staff General Christopher LaNeve called E-HEL a first-of-its-kind directed-energy program intended to help the military counter unmanned systems.
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LOCUST systems
Under the Other Transaction Agreement, AeroVironment will deliver dozens of LOCUST systems capable of destroying small drones that the US Department of Defense classifies as Groups 1 through 3. This range includes aircraft from miniature UAVs comparable to the US Air Force’s Wasp III to the larger US Army RQ-7B Shadow.
The LOCUST X3 laser system is not tied to a single platform and can be installed, including on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). The E-HEL program also relies on Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser prototypes currently used by the US military.
System testing
The contract was signed after LOCUST tests at White Sands Missile Range. The tests were conducted by Joint Interagency Task Force 401 and PAE Fires. According to the source, they demonstrated the safe and effective use of the system to counter drones in US airspace and contributed to the conclusion of a DOW–FAA safety agreement that validated the system for use in the country.
Defense News notes that the E-HEL production announcement was a positive development for the US Army’s laser program following negative feedback from military personnel about the performance of Directed Energy Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense prototypes in the Middle East. These prototypes were developed for the Stryker combat vehicle.
