Pentagon and FAA have successful counterdrone laser trial run

Published May 10, 2026 7:00am ET | Updated May 10, 2026 8:28am ET



The Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of War successfully tested a high-energy laser counterdrone system that demonstrated it can be used without harming civilian aircraft.

AeroVironment announced on Wednesday that its LOCUST laser was used in the previously announced test event in early March at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. During the test, the LOCUST laser demonstrated the ability to hit both stationary and airborne targets, it showed its automated safety shutoff capabilities if the pre-fire checklist is not met, and it also showed “no adverse impact to civilian aircraft during controlled evaluation scenarios,” AV said in a press release.

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