AeroVironment, Inc. has announced a historic milestone for directed energy and homeland defense following the successful execution of a first-of-its-kind counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) laser test conducted in coordination with the U.S. Department of War and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
During an early March test event at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), led by Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401), AV’s LOCUST high-energy laser system demonstrated its ability to safely and effectively defend U.S. national airspace against emerging drone threats. The test directly supported a subsequent agreement between the Department of War and the FAA validating the system for domestic use.
John Garrity, Vice President for Directed Energy Systems at AeroVironment, stated:
“This is a defining moment for directed energy and for the future of homeland defense. LOCUST has now proven its ability to operate safely and effectively in the most complex airspace environment in the world. This achievement accelerates the transition of directed energy from experimentation to operational deployment — delivering a scalable, cost-effective solution to counter the rapidly growing drone threat.”
The test at WSMR demonstrated automated safety shut-off capabilities ensuring the system engages only validated targets, along with other safety features. Testing also showed no adverse impact on civilian aircraft during controlled evaluation scenarios and demonstrated precision engagement through strict positive identification protocols. LOCUST successfully engaged both stationary and airborne targets, proving accuracy, persistence, and operational realism.
U.S. Army Brigadier General Matt Ross, Director of JIATF-401, stated:
“This successful test showcases the significant advancements we are making in counter-drone technology to ensure that our warfighters have the most advanced tools to defend the homeland. By working hand-in-hand with the FAA and our interagency partners, the Department of War is proving that these cutting-edge capabilities are safe, effective, and ready to protect all air travelers from illicit drone use in the national airspace.”
The demonstration comes amid increasing urgency to address drone incursions across U.S. airspace. The successful validation of LOCUST underscores its role as a critical layer in a modern, integrated air defense architecture — providing precision engagement, deep magazine capacity, and the ability to defeat threats at the speed of light.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford added:
“The FAA’s top priority is protecting the safety of the American flying public, and we value the collaboration with the Department of War in that effort. Following a thorough, data-informed Safety Risk Assessment, we determined that these systems do not present an increased risk to the flying public. We will continue working with our interagency partners to ensure the National Airspace System remains safe while addressing emerging drone threats.”
AV recently announced LOCUST as a key offering in its new Halo_Shield — a layered, tile-based defense architecture that integrates sensors, battle management, and effectors to identify, detect, track, and defeat evolving aerial threats — positioning the company to help defend critical infrastructure, secure borders, and protect the American public.
Mary Clum, President of Space, Cyber and Directed Energy at AeroVironment, concluded:
“JIATF-401’s coordination across federal partners was instrumental in aligning operational, safety, and regulatory stakeholders for this unprecedented test. PEO Missiles & Space – PAE Fires continues to drive directed energy innovation and fielding, while the FAA’s rigorous safety oversight is enabling the responsible integration of these capabilities into national airspace.”
