AeroVironment delivered four LOCUST X3 laser systems to the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office on 15 April, for EHEL programme evaluation. Two units are mounted on Infantry Squad Vehicles and two on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle chassis, a deliberate split that allows RCCTO to evaluate the same weapon across light-mobility and protected-mobility carriers. The delivery is the first publicly-confirmed hardware arrival from any EHEL bidder at the evaluation authority.
AeroVironment unveiled the LOCUST X3 at AUSA in March and quoted a $5 per-engagement cost against Group 1-3 drones, the category that includes quadcopter-class FPV threats and small-to-medium fixed-wing reconnaissance drones. Delivery to RCCTO moves the programme from exhibition claim to evaluation test article.
AeroVironment's vehicle-integration choice carries a clear signal. Two on ISV and two on JLTV confirms the firm wants EHEL judged as a platform-agnostic counter-drone weapon rather than a single-carrier system, which is consistent with a procurement strategy aimed at multiple services and multiple force-package tiers. If the laser performs similarly well on both chassis the commercial envelope widens considerably.
RCCTO delivery also anchors the schedule for every directed-energy bidder watching EHEL timing. RCCTO evaluations do not yield programme-of-record selection by themselves, but they set the pace at which one or more EHEL bidders can present complete evidence for Army review. AeroVironment has now put hardware on the range. Competing bidders who have not done so yet will need to close that gap, and allied defence ministries watching the category for export-capable options will weight early-delivery vendors accordingly.
