Leonardo DRS to supply power and thermal management for Army laser weapon program

The Army's production program specifies 30-kilowatt LOCUST X3 laser weapon systems designed to counter Group 1 through Group 3 uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).

Jamie Whitney

Nov. 3, 2026

2 min read

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Key Highlights

AeroVironment selected Leonardo DRS as a subcontractor for LOCUST X3 production under the Army’s Enduring-High Energy Laser program.
Leonardo DRS will support power and thermal management, systems engineering and integration on mobile platforms such as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.
The 30-kilowatt laser system uses a modular architecture, with palletized configurations also available.

The U.S. Army’s Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) system represents the service’s transition of high-energy laser technology from prototype development to production. E-HEL is designed to provide soldiers with a scalable, affordable directed-energy capability to defeat uncrewed aircraft system threats, with a low cost per shot and a magazine that regenerates with the system’s power supply. The Army awarded AeroVironment, Inc., an other-transaction agreement for E-HEL production, marking the Army’s first production contract for a high-energy laser weapon system. U.S. Army photo.

ARLINGTON, Va. - Leonardo DRS will provide power management, thermal management, and vehicle-integration expertise for AeroVironment's production of LOCUST X3 high-energy laser weapon systems under the U.S. Army's Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program.

AeroVironment selected Leonardo DRS as a subcontractor to support production of the mobile counter-uncrewed aircraft system (C-UAS) capability. The Army's production program specifies 30-kilowatt LOCUST X3 laser weapon systems designed to counter Group 1 through Group 3 uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).

The LOCUST X3 uses a modular architecture designed for integration across multiple military platforms, including the Army's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). Palletized configurations are also available. The Army's E-HEL program follows a modular open-systems approach, with defined interfaces intended to support integration across different platforms and future technology upgrades.

Energy delivery

Unlike missiles or guns, a laser weapon engages targets by concentrating energy on vulnerable areas to damage critical components. The system's operational capacity depends on available electrical power, thermal management, and engagement conditions rather than a finite supply of interceptors. The laser's 30-kilowatt rating describes its output power, not its total electrical-power demand.

Leonardo DRS will apply its power-management, thermal-management, and systems-engineering expertise to support AeroVironment's production effort. Integrating a high-energy laser on a mobile platform requires electrical power for the laser and supporting electronics, as well as thermal-management subsystems to remove waste heat. Vehicle integration must accommodate these components within available space and weight limits while supporting operation in demanding environments.

The work builds on earlier directed-energy integration activities involving Leonardo DRS, AeroVironment, and other industry partners. During rapid-prototyping efforts in 2024 and 2025, Leonardo DRS provided vehicle integration, power management, thermal management, and systems-engineering expertise for a mobile counter-UAS directed-energy capability used in U.S. government evaluations and training.

The Army awarded AeroVironment a $464.8 million agreement for E-HEL production in September 2026, marking the service's first production contract for a high-energy laser weapon system. AeroVironment plans to deliver dozens of LOCUST X3 systems over the next several years. The value of Leonardo DRS's subcontract was not disclosed.

About the Author

Jamie Whitney

Editor-in-Chief

Jamie Whitney joined the staff of Military & Aerospace Electronics in 2018 and oversees editorial content and produces news and features for Military & Aerospace Electronics, attends industry events, produces Webcasts, and oversees print production of Military & Aerospace Electronics.