U.S Navy Tests LOCUST Laser Weapon System Onboard Aircraft Carrier USS George H.W. Bush

The U.S. Navy successfully tested the AeroVironment LOCUST Laser Weapon System (LWS) aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush.

According to photos released in April 2026, the system neutralised several drones during exercises held in late 2025.

This development addresses the Navy’s urgent need for cost-effective weapons against Iranian drone systems in the Middle East since it previously used million-dollar intercept missiles to shoot down cheap drones, which raised war costs.

Admiral Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations, said that directed energy is the ideal solution for line-of-sight threats.

He added that by solely using lasers for defence, warships can reserve traditional kinetic missiles for offensive operations.

The Navy earlier used systems such as HELIOS and ODIN; the LOCUST offers a more compact and mobile alternative.

It has a containerised design that enables it to be integrated onto various naval platforms, bridging the gap between land-based defence and naval warfare.

The LOCUST is a 20kW-class high-energy laser designed to destroy Group 1–3 unmanned aerial systems, including the Shahed-type drones used by Iran.

It was developed under the Army’s palletised laser programs and uses AI- tracking to lock onto manoeuvring targets.

The weapon, which can melt plastics and even electronics, is cost-effective, with a cost per shot of less than $5, and offers an unlimited magazine, limited only by power supply.

Though it can focus on just one target at a time and is sensitive to atmospheric conditions, it is considered to be ready for mass production.

Recent advancements, like the LOCUST X3 with a broader beam aperture and increased power of up to 35kW, aim to counter high-volume threats over longer distances.