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AV Awarded Landmark $405 Million International Order for LOCUST X3 Laser Defense Systems

AVAV
  • AeroVironment secured a $405 million international direct commercial sales order for LOCUST X3 high-energy laser weapon systems.
  • The award expands counter-UAS capabilities in the Middle East to address escalating regional security threats from low-cost, sophisticated drones.
  • LOCUST X3 targets Group 1 to 3 unmanned aircraft systems, including Shahed-series one-way attack drones, using precision directed energy.
  • The system offers a low-cost-per-engagement alternative to conventional missile interceptors that cost hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars per shot.
  • LOCUST X3 features a deep magazine limited by power & thermal management, allowing successive threat engagement without traditional ammunition resupply.
  • AeroVironment plans to establish an in-country maintenance & sustainment depot to provide regional repair, training, & lifecycle services.
  • The deal reinforces AeroVironment's strategy to integrate directed energy into scalable, layered air defense architectures.