Army’s $464.8M E-HEL Award Advances LOCUST X3 Laser Production

The U.S. Army has moved its Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program from prototype development toward production through a reported $464.8 million Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement awarded to AeroVironment in September 2026. The Army described the effort as its first production contract for a high-energy laser weapon system. Its stated objective is to provide soldiers with a scalable, affordable directed-energy capability for countering unmanned aircraft system (UAS) threats. The award is a notable procurement signal as the military seeks fieldable tools to address the growing use of drones on modern battlefields.

AeroVironment selected Leonardo DRS as a subcontractor to support production of the 30-kilowatt LOCUST X3 mobile counter-UAS laser system. Leonardo DRS is expected to contribute rugged vehicle integration, power management, thermal management, and environmental-control expertise. These functions are central to making a high-energy laser operate reliably on mobile platforms and in demanding environments. The LOCUST X3 is described as platform-agnostic, with possible integration on Army vehicles such as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) and options for palletized configurations. The subcontract’s dollar value has not been disclosed.

For suppliers and prospective industry partners, the award points to potential demand beyond the laser itself: vehicle integration, power distribution and management, heat rejection and cooling, environmental controls, and supporting systems engineering. The reported delivery plan of 12 systems may provide a preliminary scale indicator for supplier capacity and production planning, although coverage also quotes AeroVironment as expecting delivery of “well into the dozens” over the coming years. The available reporting does not provide a definitive delivery schedule, and the differing descriptions should not be treated as a confirmed final quantity. No open Army solicitation is identified; interested firms should therefore assess subcontracting and supplier engagement through AeroVironment rather than assume a direct Army bid opportunity.

The production transition builds on prior directed-energy integration work. Leonardo DRS has cited a rapid-prototyping effort with AeroVironment and other industry partners to integrate a mobile counter-UAS system into an armored vehicle, including systems-engineering and vehicle, power, and thermal-management support for U.S. government live-fire evaluations and training in 2024 and 2025. The current production effort also reflects the operational challenges of fielding powerful lasers that can meet military requirements and perform reliably in real-world conditions. Separately, the Pentagon selected AeroVironment’s Palletized High-Energy Laser for a pilot led by Joint Interagency Task Force 401, alongside other directed-energy systems, to evaluate capabilities in an operational environment and inform integration and sustainment for homeland defense.

• The Army reportedly awarded AeroVironment a $464.8 million OTA in September 2026 to advance E-HEL into production.
• The effort is described as the Army’s first production contract for a high-energy laser weapon system.
• Leonardo DRS was selected by AeroVironment for integration, power management, thermal management, and environmental-control support.
• The supported system is AeroVironment’s 30-kilowatt LOCUST X3, designed for mobile counter-UAS missions.
• Potential configurations include integration on platforms such as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and palletized setups.
• One report indicates a plan to deliver 12 systems over the OTA’s life; AeroVironment has also been quoted as expecting “well into the dozens” in the coming years. A definitive quantity and schedule are not provided across the cited coverage.
• Leonardo DRS’s subcontract value is undisclosed, and the reporting identifies no open direct Army solicitation.
• Suppliers with mobile-platform integration, power, cooling, thermal management, environmental control, and systems-engineering capabilities can assess potential opportunities through AeroVironment’s supply chain.
• Leonardo DRS’s earlier directed-energy integration work included government live-fire evaluations and training in 2024 and 2025.
• The Pentagon’s separate Joint Interagency Task Force 401 pilot selected AeroVironment’s Palletized High-Energy Laser to assess directed-energy capabilities in an operational environment.