# Leonardo DRS Joins AeroVironment on Army Laser Production Program

By John Kim

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/business/46620
Published: 2026-11-02T16:31:41.000Z
Updated: 2026-11-02T16:31:41.000Z
Section: Business

> The subcontract covers integration and power and environmental-control support for the 30-kilowatt LOCUST X3; its value was not disclosed.

Leonardo DRS announced Monday, Nov. 2, that AeroVironment selected it to support production of the U.S. Army’s 30-kilowatt LOCUST X3 laser, a system intended to counter unmanned aircraft.

The subcontract covers integration expertise and support for power and environmental controls. The system is designed to work across military platforms, including the Army’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, and can also be configured on pallets. Leonardo DRS’s subcontract value, the number of systems it will support and the delivery schedule were not disclosed.

The Army’s Enduring-High Energy Laser program is moving from prototypes into production. The system is intended to counter unmanned aircraft as part of a layered defense.

On Sept. 2, the Army awarded AeroVironment an other-transaction agreement for E-HEL production. AeroVironment valued that award at $464.8 million and planned to deliver dozens of LOCUST X3 systems over the next few years. The $464.8 million figure applies to AeroVironment’s Army award, not Leonardo DRS’s subcontract.

“DRS is proud to partner with AV,” said Leonardo DRS President and CEO John Baylouny. The work builds on earlier prototype integration with AeroVironment and other partners, including U.S. government live-fire evaluations and training in 2024 and 2025.