Leonardo DRS selected by AV for U.S. Army’s Enduring-High Energy Laser production program
Arlington, Va., Nov. 02, 2026 – Leonardo DRS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRS) announced today that AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (Nasdaq: AVAV) has selected the company to provide rugged integration expertise for the U.S. Army’s Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) production program. DRS will apply its expertise in power management, environmental control to enable the mobile high-energy laser system intended to counter unmanned aircraft system (UAS) threats.
In September 2026, the U.S. Army announced its award to AV for the E-HEL program, describing it as the service’s first production contract for a high-energy laser weapon system. The Army said E-HEL is intended to give soldiers a scalable, affordable directed-energy system that strengthens C-UAS operations.
DRS’ subcontract supports AV’s production of LOXUST X3 laser weapon systems und the Army’s E-HEL program. AV’s 30-kilowatt, platform-agnostic LOCUST X3 is designed for integration across a range of military platforms, including the Army’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, with palletized configuration options also available.
“The Army’s move to production reflects the growing importance of scalable, fieldable directed-energy capabilities in countering evolving UAS threats,” said John Baylouny, president and chief executive officer of Leonardo DRS. “DRS is proud to partner with AV and bring its integration expertise to its E-HEL production effort.”
“Evolving drone threats demand systems that deliver reliable performance in demanding operational environments,” said Aaron Hankins, vice president and general manager, Leonardo DRS Land Systems. “Our team is applying experience in vehicle integration, power and thermal management to help AV deliver a mobile high-energy laser capability for the U.S. Army.”
The work builds on DRS’ previous directed-energy integration experience, including a rapid-prototyping effort in partnership with AeroVironment and other industry partners to develop a mobile counter-UAS directed-energy capability integrated into an armored vehicle. In that effort, DRS provided vehicle-integration, power, thermal-management and systems-engineering expertise for U.S. government live-fire evaluations and training in 2024 and 2025.
By applying this experience to the E-HEL program, DRS is helping bring scalable, fieldable directed-energy technology to the Army’s counter-UAS mission and broader defense-modernization efforts.
Photo courtesy Leonardo DRS
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Leonardo DRS was selected by AeroVironment to provide integration expertise for the U.S. Army’s Enduring-High Energy Laser production program on November 02, 2026. This program marks the Army's first production contract for a high-energy laser weapon system, aimed at enhancing counter-unmanned aircraft system operations. DRS will support the production of the LOCUST X3 laser weapon system, which is designed for integration across multiple military platforms.
- Leonardo DRS selected by AeroVironment for U.S. Army's E-HEL program.
- The E-HEL program is the Army's first production contract for a high-energy laser weapon system.
- DRS will provide integration expertise for the LOCUST X3 laser weapon system.
- The LOCUST X3 is designed for integration across various military platforms.
- The program aims to enhance counter-UAS operations.