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The technology can be used on land-based vehicles as well as ships

* LOCUST laser tested aboard USS George H.W. Bush during live drone engagement

* Palletized system deployed without permanent ship modification during demonstration

* Newer Locust versions introduce 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.

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.

Spending more money to destroy humanity than protecting it

The world continues to create weapons of destruction, which one be Locust again, Americans dey calm down, or help us send this Locust to the North, it's needed over.

US leads others follow, sending terrorists to their fast depleting virgins is an eternal quest. If the virgins no go round that Na their headache.

War propaganda everywhere,Iran that is trying to defend her sovereignty with the little knowledge they have ....,..

Ibas3454:
Spending more money to destroy humanity than protecting it

destruction of destructive regimes is a form of protection.

CodeTemplar:
destruction of destructive regimes is a form of protection.

Which regime is destructive?

The ones that never attacked anyone or the one that hitches to attack others on every continent?

CodeTemplar:
destruction of destructive regimes is a form of protection.

You get sense 👍

Great Innovation

Flangelo12:
Which regime is destructive?

The ones that never attacked anyone or the one that hitches to attack others on every continent?

You can decide to be daft or just pretend that you don't know that Iran is the country that arms most terrorists in the middle east and Africa. For real peace to rein in the world, Iran must be stopped from acquiring nuclear weapons, whether you like it or not!

bestman09:
Great Innovation



You can decide to be daft or just pretend that you don't know that Iran is the country that arms most terrorists in the middle east and Africa. For real peace to rein in the world, Iran must be stopped from acquiring nuclear weapons, whether you like it or not!

Stop with the lies.

Iranians are Shia.
The terrorists US told the world about for over 20 years were Sunni.

Just say you want to demonise Muslims.

bestman09:
Great Innovation



You can decide to be daft or just pretend that you don't know that Iran is the country that arms most terrorists in the middle east and Africa. For real peace to rein in the world, Iran must be stopped from acquiring nuclear weapons, whether you like it or not!

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4vk13wgwwo

Nairaland removed the topic i created exposing UAE role in Sudan conflict.

Jakarta:
US leads others follow, sending terrorists to their fast depleting virgins is an eternal quest. If the virgins no go round that Na their headache.

Point of correction bros.
There are no virgins there. All na scam. Nasrallah, Sinwar, even Mu.... are all stranded where they are now. Na suffer dey there.

Sibrah:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4vk13wgwwo

Nairaland removed the topic i created exposing UAE role in Sudan conflict.

Even Saudi and Pakistan follow dey fuel war for Sudan.

The present US administration has cut aids to some developing countries and in turn spending billions to fight war. What an irony! Both parties should just respect themselves.

So far na tooooooooo destroy the evil devilish regime of Iran, it's a welcome development .

Bomb them

Iran really dealt with Trump, he will never forget Iran in his life 😂 😂 😂