ARLINGTON, — U.S. defence contractor AeroVironment has secured a $405 million international order for its LOCUST X3 high-energy laser weapon systems from an undisclosed customer in the Middle East. Announced on November 11, the deal is a direct commercial sale, negotiated without going through the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.
The order comes amid growing concerns over Shahed-series one-way attack drones, which have been used against energy facilities, airports, military installations and other infrastructure across the region. Large-scale drone attacks can place pressure on conventional air defence systems and increase the cost of interception.
LOCUST X3 Laser System for Counter-Drone Defence
The LOCUST X3 is a high-energy directed-energy weapon designed to engage Group 1 to Group 3 unmanned aircraft, ranging from small commercial drones to larger military UAVs weighing approximately 600 kg (1,320 pounds).
The system can operate alongside radar, command-and-control networks and conventional weapons as part of a layered air defence network. Its main advantage is the lower cost of engagements compared with conventional missile interceptors, which can cost hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars per launch.
Unlike missile systems, the laser does not require conventional ammunition. Its engagement capacity depends mainly on available electrical power and thermal management, allowing it to engage successive targets without traditional ammunition resupply.
“Our customers need proven defenses they can field rapidly and sustain over time,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment's chairman, president and chief executive officer. He added that LOCUST X3 offers a different cost approach to defeating drones while preserving conventional interceptors for higher-end threats.
Local Maintenance and Previous Military Orders
As part of the agreement, AeroVironment plans to establish an in-country maintenance and sustainment depot. The facility will provide repairs, technical support, operator training and lifecycle services to improve maintenance response times.
This is the company's second international LOCUST order. Its first foreign order, worth more than $50 million, was announced in September 2026. The company has not confirmed whether both orders involve the same customer.
AeroVironment acquired the LOCUST technology through its 2025 acquisition of BlueHalo. The system is also being introduced into U.S. military operations. In September 2026, the U.S. Army awarded the company a nearly $500 million contract under its Enduring High Energy Laser (E-HEL) programme to supply LOCUST systems over several years.
Earlier versions have also been mounted on Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and infantry squad vehicles. The U.S. Navy tested the technology aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in late 2025, where it successfully engaged multiple drones.
The $405 million Middle East order adds to the growing international use of directed-energy weapons for countering drone threats. It also expands AeroVironment's position in the market for laser-based air defence systems.
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