Army Wants High-Energy Laser Weapons It Can Put On “Any Vehicle In The Motorpool”

The U.S. Army wants modular high-energy lasers that can be mounted on different vehicles and operated beyond dedicated air-defense units, officials said at AUSA 2026. Its Enduring-High Energy Laser uses a sled-mounted architecture to simplify transfer between platforms, with training and controls intended to suit soldiers from different specialties. AeroVironment received the program's first production contract in September for 30 kW-class LOCUST X3 systems, following earlier experimental vehicle-mounted and palletized lasers. The service's immediate focus is an additional counter-drone defense layer, while broader vehicle compatibility remains an integration objective rather than a capability already certified across the fleet.