US Navy tests plug-and-play laser system on USS Bush carrier, downs drones at sea

The U.S. Navy is accelerating its push into directed energy weapons as drone threats grow more complex and persistent. In its latest move, the service has tested a high-energy laser system at sea, signaling a shift toward faster, lower-cost counter-drone defenses that do not rely on traditional munitions. The development reflects a broader Pentagon effort to counter low-cost, high-volume aerial threats. That effort came aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), where a palletized laser weapon tracked and destroyed aerial targets in a live-fire demonstration. The test offers a glimpse into how future naval defenses could operate modular, scalable, and ready to deploy without extensive ship redesign or long integration timelines. Laser test at sea The demonstration featured the LOCUST Laser Weapon System developed by AeroVironment. Conducted in October 2025, the trial showed the system engaging multiple drones using its Palletized High Energy Laser (P-HEL) setup. Operators tracked and neutralized targets in real time. The system maintained accuracy despite the carrier’s movement. That result marks a key milestone for shipborne laser integration and operational viability. The Navy partnered with the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) for the test. The joint effort highlights how different branches are aligning around directed energy solutions and shared system architectures. “LOCUST delivers effective, all-domain protection against emerging drone threats at the speed of light—on any platform, in any domain, for any mission,” said John Garrity, Vice President of Directed Energy Systems at AV. “Rolling LOCUST onto a ship and quickly initiating operations facilitates the expanded use of high-energy lasers across the Fleet without the need for costly, time-consuming ship modifications. This is a game-changer for the Navy and for our national security.” Counter-drone breakthrough LOCUST’s performance at sea underscores its role in counter…