AeroVironment LOCUST X3 Enters Laser Counter-Drone Race; NATO Latvia Range Operational

📡 NEWS BRIEF — MARCH 2026

C-UAS Technology • Directed Energy • NATO

AeroVironment LOCUST X3 Enters Laser Counter-Drone Race

AeroVironment unveiled the LOCUST X3 (Low-Cost UAV Swarming Technology X3) — a directed-energy C-UAS system combining a 30-kW fiber laser with AI-driven target acquisition. The system achieves track-to-engagement in 1.2 seconds, defeating targets at 500m–2km range. Cost per engagement: $4.73 (electricity cost) vs. $50,000–$500,000 for kinetic interceptors. LOCUST X3 enters a directed-energy C-UAS market that now includes Raytheon's HELWS, L3Harris's ATHENA, and Boeing's HELMD.

NATO Latvia Range: First Live Tests

NATO's counter-UAS testing range at Lielvārde Air Base, Latvia conducted its first live evaluation trials in March 2026. Seven C-UAS systems from five nations were evaluated against simulated swarm attacks of 5–50 simultaneous drone targets. Key finding: no single defeat mechanism achieved >90% kill probability against a 50-drone swarm. Layered defense (RF jamming + laser + kinetic interceptors) achieved 94% kill probability. The Latvia range data directly informs NATO's C-UAS procurement priorities for 2026–2030.

CBRN Integration Signal

The Latvia evaluation specifically tested CBRN-sensor-equipped drones as attack simulations — drones carrying simulated chemical dispersal payloads. This is the first NATO evaluation to formally include CBRN-delivery UAS in its threat scenarios, confirming that CBRN-C-UAS convergence has moved from contingency planning to primary threat design criterion.

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