Pentagon to spend nearly $500 million on anti-drone laser weapons
Photo: laser weapon against drones (from open sources)
The US Army will purchase laser systems for counter-drone operations from AeroVironment Inc. in a deal worth at least $400 million. The military's goal is to master methods of destroying UAVs currently employed on today's battlefields, according to Bloomberg sources.
Locust systems
According to a source, the contract will provide the Army with dozens of Locust systems, which use lasers to destroy modern drones. This deal will mark the Pentagon's first production contract for a directed-energy counter-drone system that moves beyond the prototype stage.
Bloomberg explains that the Locust system uses artificial intelligence to track, identify, and assist operators in destroying small- and medium-sized drones using a high-energy laser.
"The almost half-billion dollar contract is another sign the Pentagon is seeking more affordable and sustainable ways of downing possibly scores of small to medium-sized drones, particularly as the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran put pressure on US stocks of expensive, hard-to-replace interceptors," the report states.
In AeroVironment's promotional video, the system is shown tracking and locking onto UAVs, with the laser appearing to create a bright flame on them before they disintegrate or fall from the sky.
Drone procurement is another Pentagon goal
In addition to counter-drone systems, the Pentagon is also trying to deploy more offensive drones. Last year, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth instructed the department to achieve UAV dominance by accelerating and expanding their production.
A few days ago, the US National Guard received advanced mobile counter-drone systems from Anduril to protect critical infrastructure and military installations.
