AeroVironment (AV) has demonstrated the counter-drone capabilities of its LOCUST laser weapon system aboard the US Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in a live-fire test.
The company revealed this month that the test took place in October 2025, where its palletized high-energy laser system tracked, engaged, and neutralized multiple target drones while on a maneuvering platform at sea.
Successfully integrating the laser weapon into the warship and “quickly initiating operations facilitates the expanded use of high-energy lasers across the Fleet without the need for costly, time-consuming ship modifications,” said John Garrity, VP of Directed Energy Systems at AV.
Done in collaboration with the US Navy and the US Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office — which manages the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser initiative — the demo marked a milestone towards fielding directed energy systems across all domains and platforms.
LOCUST Laser Weapon
The platform-agnostic system has previously demonstrated its ability to be fitted on fixed sites and ground vehicles, including the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and Infantry Squad Vehicle.
Meanwhile, the October 2025 demonstration aboard a naval vessel validated the system’s flexibility as LOCUST features roll-on roll-off capabilities.
It runs on a rechargeable battery or directly from ship power, enabling unlimited shots via the vessel’s supply.
The LOCUST also easily integrates with various command and control networks and enables automated tracking and rapid switching between targets.
In March, AV unveiled an upgraded version of the LOCUST, powered by artificial intelligence and featuring a scalable laser ranging from 20 to more than 35 kilowatts.
