Army awards first-ever laser production contract to AV, with $465M value

The US Army has awarded AeroVironment a $465 million contract for the production of the Enduring-High Energy Laser System (E-HEL). This marks the first-ever production contract for laser weapons in the Army's history. The contract is for the LOCUST® system, which is designed for counter-unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operations. The award follows a competitive bidding process.

The Army's official announcement and the company's press release both confirm the contract's value and the system's intended use. The Financial Times and DefenseScoop both note the significance of this contract in advancing the Army's laser weapon capabilities. The Army's press release specifies that the contract is part of the service's ongoing efforts to modernize its weaponry and enhance its defensive capabilities against emerging threats. The Army's press release and the company's announcement both confirm the contract's value and the system's intended use.

However, details on the specific timeline for production and deployment are not yet specified. The Army's press release mentions that the contract is part of the service's ongoing efforts to modernize its weaponry and enhance its defensive capabilities against emerging threats. The Financial Times and DefenseScoop both note the significance of this contract in advancing the Army's laser weapon capabilities. The Army's press release specifies that the contract is part of the service's ongoing efforts to modernize its weaponry and enhance its defensive capabilities against emerging threats.