# Army laser weapons could reach service by 2028

> The US Army is moving to modular laser systems that mount on standard trucks, with AeroVironment's LOCUST X3 designed to destroy drones for $5 to $10 per shot.
- Title: Army laser weapons could reach service by 2028 · TechRadar
- Summary: The US Army is moving to modular laser systems that mount on standard trucks, with AeroVironment's LOCUST X3 designed to destroy drones for $5 to $10 per…
- Keywords: us army, laser weapons, aerovironment, locust x3, drone defense, directed energy, military technology, technology, Army, laser, weapons, reach
- Source: TechRadar — https://techradar.com/pro/us-army-moves-away-from-dedicated-laser-vehicles-modular-locust-x3-laser-turns-standard-army-trucks-into-speed-of-light-counter-drone-rigs-for-usd5-a-shot
- Published: 2026-10-22T00:10:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: us army, laser weapons, aerovironment, locust x3, drone defense, directed energy, military technology, technology
## Army shifts to modular laser design
The US Army wants laser weapons that mount on ordinary military trucks instead of dedicated vehicles. AeroVironment won the initial manufacturing award for its 30-kilowatt LOCUST X3 in September 2026.
## Target drones and cost per shot
The LOCUST X3 is designed to destroy Group 1 to 3 drones, covering aircraft from roughly 9 kg to 600 kg.
## Detachable design solves maintenance problem
The laser sits on a detachable frame that moves between platforms, so a truck needing maintenance no longer sidelines the weapon.
## Army engineer on maintainability
Kirk Williams, Chief Engineer at the Army's Directed Energy Project Office, said reliability alone is not enough."It's going to be on a battlefield.Things are going to break.We can break things in very creative ways, right?"

> It's going to be on a battlefield. Things are going to break.
## Limitations of laser technology
A single laser engages one drone at a time, and its beam weakens over distance.Smoke, dust and weather reduce effectiveness further.Battery power gives roughly 80 to 120 seconds of firing depending on the system.
## Operational timeline and contract value
The service expects first LOCUST X3 units in operation by early 2028.The Army contract is worth 464.8 million dollars, and AeroVironment separately reported an initial international order valued above 50 million dollars on September 8th.
## Expansion and future scaling plans
AeroVironment is spending over 30 million dollars to expand its Albuquerque campus, which should add 450 jobs and an estimated 670 million dollar economic impact.Scott Keeney, chief executive of nLIGHT, expects scaling to one megawatt.
## Key takeaway

The US Army awarded AeroVironment a contract for modular 30-kilowatt lasers that mount on ordinary trucks, aiming for operational service by early 2028 with engagement costs of five to ten dollars per drone.