The U.S. Army has awarded AeroVironment (AV) a $464.8 million Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, according to an official statement issued on September 2.
The specific system is the LOCUST X3.
According to the Army, the E-HEL program is intended to counter unmanned aerial systems (UAS) “while offering a low cost-per-shot and a magazine that regenerates with the system’s power supply.”
This is the U.S. military’s first production contract for a high-energy laser weapon system, marking a significant transition for directed-energy technology from prototype development to series production.
Let’s take a closer look.
Source: Defense Updates
