The US Navy has achieved a key milestone with the successful testing of AeroVironment’s LOCUST Laser Weapon System aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush.
During live-fire trials conducted on October 5, 2025, the palletized system demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving a perfect success rate in neutralizing multiple aerial drone targets. This evaluation represents meaningful progress in adopting directed-energy weapons for naval operations.
Unlike earlier high-power laser systems that required permanent shipboard installations, the LOCUST takes a more flexible approach. Designed as a containerized, palletized high-energy laser (P-HEL), it can be transported like standard cargo, forklifted onto a vessel’s deck, or mounted on smaller ground vehicles. This design eliminates the need for extensive ship modifications.
The system, which generates more than 35 kilowatts of power through spectrally beam-combined technology, becomes fully operational within about 15 minutes of startup. It can draw electricity from the ship’s grid or use its internal batteries. Operators require minimal specialized instruction — typically under one hour — to handle the full workflow from target detection through engagement.
Weighing approximately 3,400 pounds, the LOCUST effectively counters small to medium unmanned aircraft and surface vessels. Its temporary installation allows crews to remove it quickly after use, restoring the flight deck for normal aircraft operations. This capability is particularly valuable when the carrier is in port or navigating areas where flight activities are limited, providing on-demand defense against drone threats without long-term impact on the ship’s primary mission.
This demonstration underscores a broader strategic move toward adaptable, cost-effective laser defenses that can be rapidly deployed across different platforms and environments as needed.
[Via]