AeroVironment Secures Landmark $465M Contract for Laser Weapon Production
Defense contractor AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) has secured a historic $464.8 million contract from the U.S. Army to produce laser weapons under its Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, marking the first-ever production deal for directed energy systems in U.S. history. The company plans to manufacture dozens of 30-kilowatt LOCUST X3 laser weapon systems capable of neutralizing military drones weighing up to half a ton. This contract represents a significant shift from previous research and development-focused deals, as it moves toward full-scale production. AeroVironment's CEO Wahid Nawabi described the deal as a
Topics: AeroVironment directed_energy_systems laser_weapons U.S. Army contract