The U.S. Navy is accelerating its push into directed energy weapons as drone threats grow more complex and persistent.

In its latest move, the service has tested a high-energy laser system at sea, signaling a shift toward faster, lower-cost counter-drone defenses that do not rely on traditional munitions.

The development reflects a broader Pentagon effort to counter low-cost, high-volume aerial threats.

That effort came aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), where a palletized laser weapon tracked and destroyed aerial targets in a live-fire demonstration.

The test offers a glimpse into how future naval defenses could operate modular, scalable, and ready to deploy without extensive ship redesign or long integration timelines.

Laser test at sea

The demonstration featured the LOCUST Laser Weapon System developed by AeroVironment. Conducted in October 2025, the trial showed the system engaging multiple drones using its Palletized High Energy Laser (P-HEL) setup.

Operators tracked and neutralized targets in real time. The system maintained accuracy despite the carrier’s movement.

That result marks a key milestone for shipborne laser integration and operational viability.

The Navy partnered with the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) for the test.

The joint effort highlights how different branches are aligning around directed energy solutions and shared system architectures.

“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.”

Counter-drone breakthrough

LOCUST’s performance at sea underscores its role in countering unmanned aerial threats.

The system engaged multiple drones during the exercise, demonstrating reliable lethality in a realistic operational environment.

Its ability to function on a moving carrier addresses one of the biggest hurdles for naval laser weapons.

Engineers focused on stabilizing beam control and maintaining precision under dynamic conditions at sea.

The test also reinforces the growing importance of layered defense strategies.

Directed energy systems can complement existing missile and electronic warfare tools, offering a cost-effective response to drone swarms and repeated attacks.

Plug-and-play combat system

LOCUST’s defining feature is its flexibility. Engineers designed it as a roll-on, roll-off system that does not require permanent installation.

Crews can deploy it on land vehicles like the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and Infantry Squad Vehicle or on naval platforms with minimal setup.

The system can draw power directly from the ship or rely on its onboard battery bank.

This dual power approach allows sustained operations without major logistical strain or added infrastructure.

AeroVironment positions LOCUST within a broader defense ecosystem.

The company combines laser systems with radio frequency counter-drone tools and kinetic interceptors to address evolving threats across domains.

The successful carrier-based test suggests the Navy is moving closer to operational deployment.

Directed energy weapons are shifting from experimental systems to practical tools for modern warfare, with scalability likely driving future adoption.