AeroVironment (AV) has secured its first international order for the LOCUST laser weapon system from an undisclosed customer in a deal valued at more than $50 million.
The deal covers an initial delivery of an unspecified number of LOCUST systems and associated support and comes shortly after the US Army awarded AV a $464.8-million contract for dozens of LOCUST X3 systems, marking the service’s first production contract for a high-energy laser weapon system.
To meet growing demand, the company is expanding its manufacturing operations in Albuquerque, New Mexico — adding more than 450 jobs and generating over $670 million in economic impact, according to AV…