US Navy tests laser weapon that shoots down drones on the USS George H.W. Bush supercarrier — ‘system tracked, engaged, and neutralized multiple target drones,’ has essentially unlimited power source

AeroVironment said its LOCUST directed-energy system was installed on the USS George H.W. Bush in October 2025.

In a later live-fire test, the system tracked, engaged, and neutralized multiple drone targets.

The demonstration points to a potential shipborne drone defense that uses a ship’s own power instead of ammunition.

If adopted more broadly, the approach could reduce logistics burdens and costly ship modifications for the U.S. Navy.