The US Army deployed a laser-based counter-drone system near El Paso International Airport on Wednesday, triggering a temporary airspace shutdown that lasted about seven hours, officials said, as cited by Reuters.
The system, developed by AeroVironment Inc, is known as LOCUST — a 20-kilowatt directed-energy weapon designed to neutralise unmanned aerial threats.
According to Trump administration officials, the deployment was prompted by a suspected cartel drone incursion. The Federal Aviation Administration initially ordered a 10-day airspace closure, which was lifted within hours after the situation stabilised.
The Pentagon has reported more than 1,000 drone sightings each month along the US–Mexico border, highlighting growing concerns about aerial surveillance and smuggling operations.
Steven Willoughby, deputy director of the Department of Homeland Security’s counter-drone program, told Congress in July that cartels use drones almost daily to move drugs across the border and to monitor Border Patrol agents.
According to their data, in the last six months of 2024 more than 27,000 drones were detected within 500 meters (1,640 feet) of the U.S. southern border, mainly at night.
The incident marks a rare instance of the US military deploying advanced directed-energy counter-drone technology in proximity to a civilian airport. Officials have said the United States is increasingly looking for safe and cost-effective methods to counter drones, particularly around airports and major public events. Security concerns are intensifying ahead of the FIFA World Cup and America250 anniversary celebrations this summer.
What is LOCUST?
LOCUST stands for Laser Optical Counter-UAS System for Tactical Use. It is a mobile, high-energy laser weapon system designed to disable or destroy small drones using concentrated light energy rather than missiles or bullets.
Traditional air defence systems rely on interceptor missiles or explosive munitions. While effective, these are expensive and often disproportionate when used against low-cost drones.
Laser systems like LOCUST offer:
- Lower cost per engagement
- Rapid, near-instant response
- Reduced collateral damage
- Deep magazine capability, meaning repeated firing without reloading
As drone threats increase, particularly from non-state actors and smuggling networks, laser systems provide a scalable defensive solution.
How does LOCUST work?
Unlike conventional weapons, LOCUST uses directed energy to heat and structurally damage its target.
Once a drone is detected and tracked, the laser beam is focused on a critical point of the target, such as the propulsion system or structural frame. Sustained heating weakens or disables the drone, causing it to fall or malfunction.
The engagement occurs without explosions, reducing risk in urban or airport environments.
The “kill chain” concept
AeroVironment describes LOCUST as an end-to-end directed-energy “kill chain.”
In military terminology, a kill chain refers to the complete sequence from detection to destruction. LOCUST integrates:
- Detection
- Tracking
- Target identification
- Laser engagement
- Neutralisation
This integration allows rapid engagement of aerial threats without needing multiple separate systems.
Development under the AMP-HEL programme
LOCUST is being fielded under the US Army’s Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) prototyping programme.
LOCUST is being fielded under the US Army’s Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) prototyping programme, an initiative designed to transition directed-energy weapons from laboratory experimentation to operational battlefield capability. The AMP-HEL programme represents a strategic shift in US defence planning, moving beyond static base-defence laser experiments toward mobile, tactically deployable systems capable of protecting forward units and critical infrastructure.
Under AMP-HEL, the Army has prioritised vehicle-mounted laser platforms that can accompany ground forces and operate in contested environments. LOCUST prototypes have been integrated onto platforms such as the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) and the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV). These integrations allow rapid repositioning, enabling forces to respond dynamically to evolving drone threats along borders, at temporary military installations, or near civilian infrastructure.
The 20-kilowatt laser power class places LOCUST within the Army’s near-term operational threshold for countering small to medium unmanned aerial systems. While higher-energy systems remain under development for cruise missile defence, AMP-HEL focuses on countering the growing proliferation of low-cost drones used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and potentially weaponised attacks.
The programme also emphasises scalability and modular design. LOCUST’s architecture is intended to support upgrades in laser power, improved beam control, and enhanced sensor fusion over time. This modularity reduces lifecycle costs and allows the Army to adapt the system as drone technology evolves.
Importantly, AMP-HEL is structured as a rapid prototyping pathway, accelerating acquisition timelines compared to traditional weapons development cycles. Field testing, real-world deployment exercises, and operational feedback are central to refining the system before broader adoption.
The system includes:
- Beam director for stabilisation and precision aiming
- Multi-target infrared search-and-track capability
- Electro-optical tracking systems
- Gimbaled telescope and rangefinder
- Multiple camera payload options
BlueHalo, now part of AeroVironment, states that LOCUST uses a sensor-agnostic “plug-and-play” design. This means it can integrate with different sensor types and radio-frequency systems across platforms.
The architecture enables detection and engagement of multiple drones in dense or cluttered airspace.
Why was it deployed near El Paso?
The US–Mexico border has seen a surge in drone activity. According to the Pentagon, more than 1,000 drone sightings occur each month in the region.
Drones are increasingly used for:
- Smuggling surveillance
- Border reconnaissance
- Transport of illicit goods
- Potential reconnaissance of critical infrastructure
Authorities said a suspected cartel drone incursion triggered the response in El Paso.
Deploying LOCUST near a civilian airport was unusual, but it underscores the growing intersection between border security, civilian aviation safety and emerging drone threats.
Why lasers instead of missiles?
Traditional air defence systems like surface-to-air missiles are expensive, often costing hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars per intercept.
In contrast, laser systems have a significantly lower cost per shot once installed. They also reduce risks of falling debris from explosive interceptors, which is especially important near civilian airspace.
This makes directed-energy weapons attractive for counter-drone operations in urban environments.
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