U.S. Army Awards $465 Million Deal for New Anti‑Drone Laser Using Game‑Controller Controls

The U.S. Army disclosed a $465 million acquisition agreement with AeroVironment, Inc. for the LOCUST X3 laser system, a weapon designated as a "Group 3 Killer" intended to defeat high‑risk unmanned aerial vehicles.

Group 3 Killer armaments are aimed at the most dangerous class of drones, usually those that can transport payloads or function in contested skies. Targeting these sophisticated threats, the Army seeks to shield soldiers and vital infrastructure from ever‑more advanced aerial assaults.

The LOCUST X3 combines a high‑energy laser with an off‑the‑shelf Xbox controller, enabling users to lock onto and follow targets through a recognizable, comfortable interface. This approach is meant to cut training periods and boost targeting precision during rapid combat situations.

The agreement comes as the services experience a widening wave of counter‑UAS programs, spurred by the spread of off‑the‑shelf drones and their proven deployment in recent wars. Defense strategists have underscored the requirement for mobile, scalable tools that can be deployed swiftly to confront both hobbyist‑grade and purpose‑engineered enemy drones.

Although AeroVironment has not revealed an exact rollout timeline, the magnitude of the funding implies the LOCUST X3 will transition from trials to field units in the coming years. Observers anticipate the platform will augment current layered defenses, providing a directed‑energy capability that can strike silently and with a modest logistical burden, possibly redefining the Army's future approach to aerial threats.