- The award would expand C-UAS capabilities in the Middle East
- AV plans to establish an in-country maintenance and sustainment depot
- AeroVironment CEO Wahid Nawabi to speak at 2027 GovCon Executive Leadership Summit
AeroVironment has secured a $405 million international direct commercial sales order for its LOCUST X3 high-energy laser weapon systems, expanding counter-unmanned aircraft systems capabilities in the Middle East.
Join Wahid Nawabi, chairman, president and CEO of AeroVironment, as he takes the stage at the 2027 GovCon Executive Leadership Summit to share insights during the panel, “Fielding the Future: How Defense Innovators Are Equipping Tomorrow’s Force.” Hear how defense industry leaders are adapting to a more competitive government contracting landscape, advancing commercial technologies and aligning innovative solutions with evolving federal acquisition priorities and agency mission requirements. Register today!
Alongside the equipment order, AV plans to establish an in-country maintenance and sustainment depot to support the deployed laser weapon systems, the company said Wednesday.
The planned facility will provide regional repair services, technical support, operator training and lifecycle management, while strengthening local partnerships, improving maintenance response times and supporting the long-term operational readiness of deployed systems.
What Is AeroVironment’s LOCUST X3 Laser Weapon System?
LOCUST X3 is a third-generation directed-energy weapon system designed to counter unmanned aircraft and other aerial threats. The high-energy laser platform features a scalable power range of 20 to more than 35 kilowatts and combines advanced sensors, a modular beam director and artificial intelligence-enabled targeting capabilities.
Introduced in March, the system incorporates AV_Halo PINPOINT, AV’s precision aiming and tracking software, to support target acquisition, tracking and engagement automation.
Why Is AeroVironment Expanding Its Counter-Drone Capabilities in the Middle East?
The award comes amid growing concerns over the proliferation of low-cost unmanned aircraft across the Middle East. A March Unpacking Iran’s Drone Campaign in the Gulf analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, or CSIS, examined Iran’s use of Shahed-series one-way attack drones in strikes across Gulf countries. The analysis highlighted how these systems can threaten military installations, energy infrastructure and other strategic assets while complicating regional air-defense operations.
Wahid Nawabi, chairman, president and CEO of AeroVironment, and a 2026 Wash100 awardee, said the award reflects “growing recognition that directed energy is essential to modern layered air defense.”
“LOCUST X3 changes the economics of defeating drones while preserving traditional interceptors for higher-end threats,” Nawabi added.
What Other LOCUST X3 Contracts Has AeroVironment Secured?
In September 2026, AV announced its first international purchase order for LOCUST laser weapon systems, valued at more than $50 million. The direct commercial sales order covered initial deliveries of the company’s operationally proven directed-energy systems and associated support, marking an expansion of its international counter-UAS business.
The company subsequently secured a $464.8 million other transaction agreement from the U.S. Army Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Fires under the Enduring-High Energy Laser program.
The agreement covers the production and delivery of dozens of LOCUST X3 laser weapon systems over the next several years to meet the Army’s multiyear fielding requirements. It also includes system support and training.
