ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 4, 2025 — Defense technology company AeroVironment has successfully delivered the first two mobile counter-unmanned aircraft (C-UAS) prototype laser weapon systems (LWS) to the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office as part of the first increment of the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) prototyping effort.

The AMP-HEL prototype systems feature AeroVironment's 20-kW-class LOCUST LWS integrated on the General Motors Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) platform — a significant advancement in mobile, frontline C-UAS capabilities.

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AeroVironment has completed delivery of two 20-kW-class LOCUST laser weapon systems integrated into infantry squad vehicles for the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser prototyping effort. Courtesy of AeroVironment.

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Following integration at AeroVironment's directed energy (DE) manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, N.M., the AMP-HEL prototypes underwent government acceptance testing at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona to validate performance, mobility, safety, and lethality. Subsequently, Army units performed equipment training at Fort Sill, Okla. to prepare for potential employment of DE capabilities. Soldier feedback from the event is shaping ongoing enhancements to ensure warfighter readiness and operational relevance in dynamic threat environments.

The AMP-HEL prototyping effort is part of the Army’s broader modernization initiative to rapidly develop and field DE solutions to defeat a range of threats, including drones and other airborne systems.

“We stand ready to meet the mission need through full-scale manufacturing of our LOCUST laser systems, including AMP-HEL and other mobile and fixed-site platforms, to increase lethality and continue to build on our extensively validated reliability and precision tracking and targeting technology to address the evolving threats,” said John Garrity, vice president of directed energy systems at AeroVironment.

Next month, AV is set to deliver the second increment of AMP-HEL — two joint light tactical vehicles with a 20-kW-class LOCUST LWS, radar, and command-and-control systems.

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