AV Delivers First Two Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser Systems to U.S. Army

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AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) announced the successful delivery of the first two mobile counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) prototype Laser Weapon System (LWS) to the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) as part of the first increment of the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) prototyping effort. The AMP-HEL prototype systems feature AV’s 20kW-class LOCUST™ LWS integrated on the General Motors Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) platform–a significant advancement in mobile, frontline C-UAS capabilities.

“This milestone marks a major step forward in the Army’s pursuit of fieldable directed energy capabilities,” said Mary Clum, Senior Vice President for AV’s Space & Directed Energy Group. “Through the AMP-HEL program, AV is delivering our extensively validated LOCUST laser system–a technically sophisticated solution that has demonstrated reliability and operational readiness for the C-UAS fight. We are honored to support the U.S. Army RCCTO and, together, accelerate warfighter access to these critical capabilities.”

Following integration at AV’s Directed Energy (DE) manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the AMP-HEL prototypes underwent rigorous government acceptance testing at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona to validate performance, mobility, safety, and lethality. Subsequently, Army units performed new equipment training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma to prepare for potential employment of DE capabilities. Soldier feedback from the event is shaping ongoing enhancements to ensure warfighter readiness and operational relevance in dynamic threat environments.

The AMP-HEL prototyping effort is part of the Army’s broader modernization initiative to rapidly develop and field DE solutions to defeat a range of threats, including drones and other airborne systems. The integration of laser systems on the lightweight, highly mobile ISV platform reflects a commitment to scalable, adaptable, and expeditionary force protection solutions. Next month, AV is set to deliver the second increment of AMP-HEL–two Joint Light Tactical Vehicles with a 20kW class LOCUST LWS, radar, and command-and-control systems.

“The need for these systems from real world events is clear: the time is now for directed energy to get into the hands of warfighters everywhere and we are confident that LOCUST meets that need,” said John Garrity, Vice President of Directed Energy Systems for AV. “AV is committed to supporting the Army’s modernization and modularity priorities. We stand ready to meet the mission need through full-scale manufacturing of our LOCUST laser systems, including AMP-HEL and other mobile and fixed-site platforms, to increase lethality and continue to build on our extensively validated reliability and precision tracking and targeting technology to address the evolving threats.”