US Army to Spend $400 Million on Counter-Drone Lasers

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Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — The US Army will buy at least $400 million worth of counter-drone lasers from AeroVironment Inc., according to a person familiar with the matter, as militaries seek ways to knock down the unmanned systems proliferating across modern battlefields. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThe contract with Arlington, Virginia-based AeroVironment will provide the Army with dozens of the firm’s Locust system, the person said. The deal would represent the Pentagon’s first production contract for a directed energy counter-drone system beyond the prototype phase. An AeroVironment spokesperson declined to comment. The shares extended gains on the news, rising as much as 8.1% in the biggest intraday move since July 2.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe AI-assisted Locust system tracks, identifies and helps human operators destroy small- to medium-sized drones with a high-energy laser. The almost half-billion dollar contract is another sign the Pentagon is seeking more affordable and sustainable ways of downing possibly scores of small to medium-sized drones, particularly as the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran put pressure on US stocks of expensive, hard-to-replace interceptors.An AeroVironment promotional video of the system shows it tracking and locking onto unmanned aerial drones, with the laser appearing to create a bright flame on the devices before they disintegrate or tumble from the sky. It shows operators — huddled around various screens with video feeds and data — including one man in a beanie who is using what looks like a video game controller.In addition to counter drone systems, the Pentagon is also trying to field more offensive drones, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directing the department last year to pursue “drone dominance” by accelerating and expanding the production of US military drones.Earlier this year, the Locust system was at the heart of a minor controversy when the weapon was being tested near the Mexico border and ended up prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to close the airspace in El Paso, Texas. During testing, the device inadvertently targeted and shot down a drone flown by US Customs and Border Protection personnel on the Texas border with Mexico, according to people familiar with the matter at the time. 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