US Assessing Use of Locust Laser System to Down Iranian Budget Drones

Iran has used cheap drones to attack U.S. military forces, even causing the first casualties for the U.S. military. The U.S. Department of Defense now aims to develop a high-energy laser weapon system called Locust, to address the high costs of traditional missile interception. This directed energy laser technology not only offers a low-cost alternative in terms of manufacturing and operational expenses but also provides excellent effectiveness on the battlefield. This article is a summary of key points from a 60-minute video.

In a non-capital asymmetric warfare scenario, will lasers become the strongest defense against Iranian drones?

In modern military conflicts, there is a significant value gap between low-cost drones and high-priced intercept missiles, forming what is known as non-capital asymmetric warfare. According to current data, a Patriot missile system costs about $1 billion to procure, with each missile firing costing up to $4 million. In contrast, Iran’s cheap Shahed drones can be made from materials bought at street corner craft stores. The damage caused by Iran’s inexpensive drones is shocking; their attacks have resulted in the first U.S. casualties in the Iran-U.S. conflict, and six soldiers died in Kuwait.

A single drone costs only about $20,000 and often attacks in groups. Facing Iran’s low-cost military strategy, the U.S. is currently evaluating laser weapon systems for defense. The energy cost for a single laser shot is only about $3 to $5. Using their own tactics, they aim to counter Iran’s drone attacks with inexpensive weapons.

What is the Locust laser system?

The Locust laser system, currently highly regarded by the U.S. military, includes a beam director, energy battery, and cooling system. The entire setup can be fixed in place or mounted on the back of a truck. The system integrates AI tracking technology; radar can detect targets up to 7 miles away, and operators can lock onto targets via a controller. The laser beam travels at the speed of light, melting the plastic body or critical components of drones with intense heat, rendering them harmless. Tests show that the beam can continuously shoot down multiple targets in a short period, with energy transfer happening very rapidly.

The Locust system has a distinctive appearance, resembling a small turret with a “futuristic” look. Its main features include:

Beam director (emitter head): The core component, shaped like a rectangular or cylindrical box, with two round lens sensors at the front, giving it a “big eye” appearance similar to the robot Wally from Pixar movies.

Laser outlet: The laser beam is emitted from one of the round lenses (the “eye”). This beam is in the infrared spectrum and invisible to the naked eye unless viewed through thermal imaging or special sensors.

Base and energy box: The emitter head is mounted on a rotating base, usually connected to a large metal box below, which contains powerful batteries providing energy for the laser.

High mobility: The system is compact and can be fixed on building rooftops or defensive positions. Most commonly, it is mounted on the back of a Hummer or medium-sized military truck, allowing for mobile deployment.

Operation interface: Although the weapon appears highly advanced, the control interface is simple. Operators typically sit inside the truck or control room, using a game controller similar to an Xbox to lock onto and track targets.

Laser combat performance assessment

While lasers perform excellently in laboratory conditions, their effectiveness in atmospheric environments is still affected by weather conditions. Conventional wisdom suggests that rain, fog, sandstorms, or high humidity can scatter laser energy, reducing range and power. Defense developers state that current systems have been deployed in multiple combat zones and have not been withdrawn due to weather.

Lasers are already used within the United States to combat illegal activities such as drug and cash smuggling via drones across the border. The U.S. Army has used lasers to shoot down drones operated by drug cartels near Mexico. Drug traffickers often use drones to transport drugs.

The deployment of such high-energy weapons has raised concerns about civil aviation safety. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has closed certain airspace to ensure commercial aircraft are not affected by signals or energy interference. Additionally, because this technology involves high national security, export to Gulf countries or other allies requires strict review. Even with government approval, production capacity is limited by current supply chains and contractual restrictions, making it impossible to meet large market demands in a short period.

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