UPDATE -- Leonardo DRS Selected by AV for U.S. Army’s Enduring-High Energy Laser Production Program

The subcontract extends DRS’ directed-energy integration work from earlier prototyping to support for Army production.

Rhea-AI Summary

Leonardo DRS (DRS) has been selected by AeroVironment to support production under the U.S. Army’s Enduring-High Energy Laser program. DRS’ subcontract supports AV’s production of LOCUST X3 laser weapon systems, with DRS providing integration expertise and power and thermal management subsystems for a mobile capability intended to counter unmanned aircraft.

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• Moderate pointAeroVironment subcontract selects DRS to support LOCUST X3 production under the Army’s E-HEL program.

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Key Figures

LOCUST X3 system power: 30-kilowatt

LOCUST X3 system power

30-kilowatt

Article describes the platform-agnostic laser weapon system

Key Terms

thermal management, high-energy laser, directed-energy, unmanned aircraft system, +1 more

5 terms

thermal management technical

"power and thermal management subsystems"

Thermal management is the set of methods and technologies used to control temperature and move heat away from sensitive parts of a device, system, or facility so it stays within safe, efficient limits. For investors, effective thermal management protects product performance and lifespan, reduces safety and warranty risks, and can lower operating and compliance costs—like a building’s heating and cooling that prevents damage and keeps value intact.

high-energy laser technical

"mobile high-energy laser system"

A high-energy laser is a device that produces a tightly focused beam of light with enough power to cut, weld, disable equipment, or destroy targets by heating material very quickly — think of it as concentrated sunlight used like a precision heat tool. For investors, it matters because these systems drive markets in defense, industrial manufacturing, and materials processing, carry high development and production costs, involve regulatory and export controls, and can change competitive positions if they become commercially practical.

directed-energy technical

"mobile counter-UAS directed-energy capability"

Directed-energy describes technology that sends concentrated beams of light, radio waves, or microwaves to produce an effect at a distance, similar to using a focused flashlight rather than a room lamp. For investors, it matters because development, manufacturing, and deployment of these systems can drive defense and industrial spending, create intellectual property and export rules, and affect revenue and risk profiles for firms involved in advanced electronics and materials.

unmanned aircraft system technical

"counter unmanned aircraft system (UAS) threats"

An unmanned aircraft system is a complete drone setup: the aircraft itself plus the ground controls, software, communications links and any support equipment needed to operate it—think of a remote‑controlled airplane combined with its pilot station and tools. Investors care because these systems create revenue and risk across industries (defense, delivery, agriculture, inspection), so changes in technology, regulations, safety record or production costs can quickly affect companies’ sales, liabilities and long‑term growth prospects.

power management technical

"expertise in power management, environmental control"

Power management is the set of electronic circuits, software and design techniques that control how electrical energy is generated, converted, stored, distributed and used inside a device or system. It includes components and functions such as voltage regulators, DC–DC converters, battery chargers and monitors, power sequencing, thermal protection and dynamic scaling or gating of power to reduce consumption and protect components. The term describes a technical function or product category (for example, power-management integrated circuits or firmware) rather than a company's corporate governance or regulatory authority.

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DRS will provide critical power and thermal management subsystems for a mobile counter-unmanned aircraft system capability

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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 LOCUST X3 laser weapon systems under 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.

About Leonardo DRS

Leonardo DRS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRS) is at the forefront of developing transformative defense technologies using its proven agility and delivering innovative solutions for U.S. national security customers and allies worldwide. We specialize in rapidly providing high-performance, multi-domain capabilities across next-generation advanced sensing, network computing, force protection, and electric power and propulsion. Our reputation as a trusted provider is built on a continuous focus on practical innovation, delivering quality, and meeting our customers’ most demanding mission requirements. For further information on our complete range of capabilities, visit www.LeonardoDRS.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements reflect current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements which include contract values, contract performance and our development and production of products are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Leonardo DRS Investor Relations Contact
Camilla Yanushevsky
Director, Investor Relations
+1 571 309 8216
investorrelations@drs.com

Leonardo DRS Media Contact
Charles Jones
Director, Marketing and Corporate Communications
+1 571-737-8800
charles.jones@drs.com  

FAQ

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What will Leonardo DRS provide for the Army’s E-HEL production program?

Leonardo DRS will provide integration expertise and power and thermal management subsystems supporting AeroVironment’s LOCUST X3 production. The mobile high-energy laser capability is intended to counter unmanned aircraft threats.

What previous directed-energy work has Leonardo DRS done with AeroVironment?

DRS previously partnered with AeroVironment and other industry partners on a rapid-prototyping effort to integrate a mobile counter-drone directed-energy capability into an armored vehicle. DRS provided vehicle-integration, power, thermal-management and systems-engineering expertise for U.S. government live-fire evaluations and training in 2024 and 2025.