BBS: TELESC.NET.BR
Assunto: The $5 Drone Killer
De: Mike Powell
Data: Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:27:08 -0500
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The $5 Drone Killer: The Navys new 20kW LOCUST laser just proved its
"unlimited magazine depth" on the USS George H.W. Bush it neutralized
multiple UAVs for a fraction of the cost of a missile, protecting the fleet
from cheap enemy drone swarms
Date:
Wed, 22 Apr 2026 21:40:00 +0000
Description:
New low-cost carrier-based laser system shows promise for defending US
warships against drone threats, at $5 a pop.
FULL STORY
AI-assisted tracking and higher power output -- Drone warfare has
expanded rapidly in recent years, with large numbers of low-cost systems used
across conflicts such as Ukraine and in operations linked to Iran.
Defending against repeated drone attacks has exposed the limits of
traditional interceptors, leading the US military (and others) to explore
laser weapons that can fire repeatedly without running out of ammunition.
AeroVironment says it has successfully demonstrated its LOCUST laser weapon
system aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush during a live-fire
exercise carried out with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities
and Critical Technologies Office. The
palletized LOCUST Laser Weapon System was deployed onto the carrier and
tracked, engaged, and neutralized multiple unmanned aerial vehicles, showing
that the system could operate from a moving carrier environment.
The high-energy laser is mounted in a turret that can be rolled onto
different platforms. This design allows the system to operate from either its
own battery bank or draw power directly from a ship, reducing the need for
permanent installation work.
LOCUST delivers effective, all-domain protection against emerging drone
threats at the speed of light on any platform, in any domain, for any
mission, said John Garrity, Vice President of Directed Energy Systems at AV.
Rolling LOCUST onto a ship and quickly initiating operations facilitates the
expanded use of high-energy lasers across the Fleet without the need for
costly, time-consuming ship modifications. This is a game-changer for the
Navy and for our national security.
AeroVironment said the system demonstrated target tracking and beam control
while operating aboard the carrier, and the same core system architecture is
shared across multiple military services, so the technology can be used on
land-based vehicles as well as ships.
The War Zone says this appears to be the first time a laser weapon of this
type has been installed on a U.S. aircraft carrier, and that systems like
LOCUST typically operate in the roughly 20kW power range. This places them in
the category of weapons intended primarily to counter smaller drones.
TWZ also points out that lasers still face practical limits in operational
settings. Beam effectiveness decreases over distance, and weather conditions
such as dust, smoke, or moisture can reduce performance before the beam
reaches its target.
Defense Express notes that AeroVironment has continued developing newer
versions of the system, including an updated model known as Locust X3.
This version supports power levels between 20kW and 35kW and includes
AI-assisted detection and tracking tools.
Defense Express also reports that shooting down one drone using Locust X3
laser system only costs five dollars, without the need for reloading, making
it useful over extended periods.
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/the-usd5-drone-killer-the-navys-new-20kw-locust-
laser-just-proved-its-unlimited-magazine-depth-on-the-uss-george-h-w-bush-it-n
eutralized-multiple-uavs-for-a-fraction-of-the-cost-of-a-missile-protecting-th
e-fleet-from-cheap-enemy-drone-swarms
$$
--- MultiMail/DOS
* Origin: Capitol City Hub (1:2320/105)
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