The U.S. Army has taken delivery of its first two mobile Laser Weapon Systems (LWS) developed under the AMP-HEL program, integrating AeroVironment’s LOCUST 20kW laser onto GM Defense’s Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV). These lightweight, highly mobile systems provide frontline units with organic counter-UAS capability. The LOCUST laser can swiftly disable Class I and II drones, delivering precision at speed without reliance on fixed defenses. Mounted on the ISV, the platform is deployable by air and supports squad mobility in austere environments. The handover reflects the Army’s focus on scalable directed-energy solutions to protect troops from the rising drone threat.
