politics
FAA and Pentagon Validate AeroVironment LOCUST Laser Counter-Drone System Following White Sands Test
The high-energy laser demonstrated safe operation near civilian aircraft during an early March 2026 test at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. AeroVironment announced the results Wednesday alongside FAA approval and expansion of a directed-energy pilot program to five military installations. Officials described the system as ready for homeland defense applications.
May 10, 7:00 AM·2m read1 source
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The Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of War successfully tested a high-energy laser counter-drone system at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico in early March 2026. AeroVironment announced on Wednesday that its LOCUST laser hit both stationary and airborne targets during the test.
The system demonstrated automated safety shutoff capabilities if the pre-fire checklist is not met and showed no adverse impact to civilian aircraft during controlled evaluation scenarios.
On April 10, the FAA announced it had completed a safety assessment of the laser system alongside the Pentagon and validated that it does not pose any additional risk to passenger aircraft. AV’s LOCUST high-energy laser system is interconnected through higher-level command and control systems that collect information from nearby aircraft transponders, radar data, and other sensors to provide an Integrated Air Picture.
The LOCUST system undergoes an automated checklist after it is triggered but before it fires the beam.
The LOCUST laser beam is invisible and travels at the speed of light. The beam has a focus point in the center that is targeted. The system is small enough to be mounted onto vehicles and made mobile.
This week, JIATF-401 announced that five installations would participate in the directed-energy counter-drone pilot program: Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Fort Bliss, Texas; Naval Base Kitsap, Washington; Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota; and Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.
