The US Army deployed a laser weapon on domestic territory before purchasing it.

      In late August, the US Army deployed a high-energy laser to take down three drones near the Mexican border, successfully bringing all of them down. A week later, the Army finalized a contract to procure the production model. AeroVironment announced on Wednesday that it has received a $464.8 million award from the Army's Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Fires, claiming it as the first production contract for directed energy systems in U.S. history.

      What was acquired

      The Enduring-High Energy Laser program encompasses several LOCUST X3 systems that will be delivered over the next few years, each featuring a 30-kilowatt laser designed for various platforms. The Army intends to install these lasers on Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, with options for palletized versions. AeroVironment is also evaluating whether the system can be fitted onto Infantry Squad Vehicles. The target range includes Group 1 to 3 unmanned aircraft, which covers small to medium-sized drones instead of larger military planes. AeroVironment will also provide support and training.

      The X3 utilizes the company’s own AI targeting software and is part of a broader architecture AeroVironment markets for layered air defense. The laser serves as one of multiple effectors within that system rather than functioning as a standalone weapon. The agreement is categorized as an Other Transaction Agreement, allowing the Pentagon to procurement outside standard federal acquisition protocols, leading to a quicker process than traditional contracts.

      Usage prior to the contract

      The sequence of events is more significant than the financial value. On the night of August 25 and into the next morning, a task force from US Northern Command employed laser technology from the same program against a group of drones in Texas's Rio Grande Valley. Fernanda González reported on the operation for WIRED en Español, a story later translated by Ars Technica. The lasers destroyed three drones that were described by officials as posing physical threats to US military personnel and Customs and Border Patrol. Major General Curtis Taylor, commanding the task force, linked the drones to organized crime, noting that cartel networks are increasingly using them for illegal transportation and surveillance of American personnel and law enforcement officials.

      The specifics of who operated the three drones have not been publicly confirmed, nor has the Army disclosed the precise location of the operation.

      Two distinct lasers, with notable differences

      The systems deployed at the border operated at 20 kilowatts and were part of the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser program, an earlier prototype initiative preceding this week’s contract. In contrast, the LOCUST X3 entering production now is a 30-kilowatt system. While related, the two systems are not identical weapons, and the Army has refrained from specifying which configuration was used in Texas.

      AeroVironment provided the first two prototypes in September 2025, followed by two more mounted on tactical vehicles in December. The newer models come equipped with their radar and command systems, differentiating them from standalone devices.

      A laser of this caliber operates by concentrating its beam on a moving target long enough to heat it until failure occurs. The extent of the damage varies based on distance, duration of exposure, and the materials composing the drone.

      Initial clearance was essential

      Using a laser weapon in US airspace required authorization that had not existed before. AeroVironment attributes the successful testing at White Sands Missile Range, conducted in partnership with a joint task force and the Fires office, for producing a safety agreement between the Department of War and the Federal Aviation Administration, thereby validating the system's domestic application.

      Thus, the sequence was: obtain approval for domestic use, apply the technology domestically, and then make a purchase. Each step was accomplished in weeks rather than years.

      AeroVironment emphasizes this rapid progression. John Garrity, overseeing directed energy at the company, labeled it a production-ready system rather than merely a future capability.

      Current context

      Investment in counter-drone technologies has increased over the past two years. In June, we reported that the Pentagon’s push to dominate drones was elevating the valuations of companies in the defense tech sector, while Europe has also witnessed the emergence of several drone-focused startups, including Berlin’s Stark.

      Lasers represent the other side of this market. Drones generally cost only a few hundred dollars, whereas interceptor missiles are significantly more expensive. This difference constitutes the economic rationale for directed energy systems, which have yet to see mass purchase until now.

      This development coincides with a week in which federal agencies have made headlines for acquiring autonomous technology for domestic applications. We reported on Tuesday that immigration enforcement plans to procure a fleet of robotic dogs without a competitive process, and two states have taken action against automated license plate readers within the same week. Counter-drone systems have also been showcased at civilian events, including this summer's World Cup.

      Uncertainties remain

      AeroVironment’s assertion of a historic first is their own, made in their announcement, with the Army not characterizing the award in such