LOCUST Laser Weapon System (LWS)
LOCUST is a multi-mission laser weapon system designed to function both as a Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) and a Short-Range Air Defense (SHORAD) system. It is a compact, highly mobile weapon platform.
The LOCUST system consists of:
- High-energy laser generation system.
- Beam control system.
- Power supply system.
- Cooling system.
LOCUST does not use ammunition or missiles, thereby eliminating the risk of unexploded ordnance or falling projectiles causing collateral damage beyond the target area.
The LOCUST laser emitter features a long operational life of up to several thousand hours.
Surveillance Sensors
The surveillance sensor suite includes:
- Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) 3D X-band radar.
- Passive and active electro-optical sensors for target detection, tracking, and designation.
Laser Targeting and Engagement System
The laser aiming and illumination system is mounted on the main platform equipped with a stabilized gimbal and gyroscopic sensors.
The laser targeting and engagement system includes:
- High-power laser emitter and Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) camera.
- Laser rangefinder.
- Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) camera.
- Visible-spectrum camera (VIS).
- Laser target illuminator for precision line-of-sight designation.
1. Tactical and Technical Specifications of LOCUST
| No. | Parameter | Specification | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maximum detection range using passive thermal sensor (MWIR) | ||
| - DJI Phantom IV drone | Over 3 km | ||
| - Fixed-wing UAV with 2 m wingspan | 6 km | ||
| 2 | Maximum radar detection range based on target Radar Cross Section (RCS) | ||
| - RCS 0.01 m² | Up to 10 km | ||
| - RCS 0.5 m² | Up to 15 km | ||
| - RCS 2.0 m² | Up to 25 km | ||
| 3 | Maximum UAV engagement/destruction range | Up to 5 km | |
| 4 | Laser dwell time required to destroy a target | 2–5 seconds | Depending on target characteristics |
| 5 | Continuous laser engagement time against multiple UAVs | 180–220 seconds | In pulsed/intermittent flashing mode |
| 6 | Beam steering speed | 60°/s | |
| 7 | Beam steering acceleration | 60°/s² | |
| 8 | Laser output power | Up to 20 kW | Adjustable |
| 9 | Power consumption of laser emission system | 51 kW | |
| 10 | Power consumption of cooling system | 36 kW | |
| 11 | Dimensions of laser emitter and electro-optical subsystem (L × W × H) | 2184 × 1219 × 2235 mm | |
| 12 | Weight of laser emitter and electro-optical subsystem | 1,655 kg |
2. Operational Deployment
BlueHalo is one of the few companies worldwide currently capable of supplying high-energy laser weapon systems.
In addition to high-power laser weapons, BlueHalo has successfully developed the THOR electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapon system.
LOCUST has been fielded in several military programs:
- Two LOCUST systems have been supplied to the United States Army for the protection of deployed bases in the Middle East.
- The system has also been supplied to the United States Marine Corps as a ground-based air defense weapon.
- Deployment programs for the United States Air Force were planned to commence in 2024.
Related International Developments
The Israel Defense Forces has been preparing to deploy the Iron Beam laser point-defense system.
Iron Beam employs high-power laser beams to destroy aerial threats and is expected to operate in conjunction with the Iron Dome air defense network, enhancing Israel's multi-layered air defense architecture.
Related products
The short-range anti-approach laser device emits a medium-power green laser beam designed to cause temporary glare and deter approach at close range without causing injury to the target. It is intended for use by maritime security forces, anti-smuggling operations, anti-drug enforcement, riot control, and the protection of critical facilities.
Model: MEDUSA-CG
Manufacturer: Passive Force
Country of Origin: Finland
1. Function
The long-range anti-approach laser device emits a high-power green laser beam intended to produce glare and deter approach at long range without causing injury to the target. It is designed for maritime security forces, anti-smuggling operations, anti-drug trafficking missions, riot control, and the protection of critical facilities and restricted areas.
2. Scope of Supply
- Long-range anti-approach laser device: 01 unit
- USB flash drive containing technical specifications and electronic user manual: 01 unit
- Rechargeable battery: 02 units
- Shoulder strap: 01 unit
- Battery charger: 01 unit
- Vehicle battery charger (car charger): 01 unit
- Accessory bag: 01 unit
- Carrying case: 01 unit
3. Technical Specifications
3.1. Laser Module
- Laser output power: 5000 mW
- Wavelength: 520 nm
- Beam divergence: 10 mrad
- Flashing frequency: 10 Hz
3.2. Power Supply
- Rechargeable lithium batteries: supplied with two removable rechargeable batteries, each rated at 12 V – 4 Ah, with a total capacity of 8 Ah
- Protection: overvoltage and overcurrent protection, designed to comply with MIL-STD-1275D
- Battery endurance:
- More than 30 minutes (continuous laser emission mode)
- More than 50 minutes (flashing laser emission mode)
3.3. Connections and Controls
- Charging connector: MIL-C-26482 standard
- Battery charger: 100–240 V, 50 Hz, maximum 1 A
- Laser firing control: trigger-operated
3.4. Mechanical Characteristics
- Total weight (including batteries): 4.7 kg
- Dimensions (with top-mounted Picatinny rail):
- 740 (L) × 200 (H) × 65 (W) mm
3.5. Packaging and Environmental Conditions
- Dust and water protection: IP66 rated
- Operating temperature: -20°C to +60°C
- Operating humidity: 100% relative humidity, non-condensing
- Material: aluminum
- Cooling system: active cooling, fan airflow rate of 622 liters/minute
3.6. Laser Safety
- Laser safety classification: compliant with IEC 60825-1
3.7. Effective Operating Range (Under Standard Conditions)
- Effective glare range (daytime): 252 m
- Effective glare range (nighttime): 798 m
- Warning range (daytime): 505 m
- Warning range (nighttime): 1,596 m
- Minimum eye-safe distance: 50 m
- Skin-safe distance: 1 m
The Mine Identification Disposal System (MIDS) with a maximum diving depth of up to 300m and an operating radius of up to 1000m used to search, detect and identify mines by image (camera or sonar).
After identifying the mine, The Mine Identification Disposal System (MIDS) is capable of carrying a specialized detonator to attach to the mine and safely detonate it.
1. MIDS configuration:
MIDS includes:
- 1 set: 7 Thruster vectored vehicle with Controller, Forward tilting HD x16 Zoom Camera, Dual LED Lights.
1 set: Dual-frequency sonar offering 120 meter range capability at 750kHz and 40 meter range at 1.2MHz.
- 1 Navigation Package: Autopilot System Defender (DVL, GPS & Integration)
- 1 set Acoustic Positioning System - 300m Depth Rating, Range Rating
1km.
- 1 set Rotating Manipulator Kit: Full 360º head rotation and five interchangeable jaws
- 1 Detonation controller with 20 specialized detonators
2. Specifications:
- Depth Rating: 300m (1,000ft)
- Size (l x w x h): 75.16 x 39.37 x 26.67 cm
- Weight: 17.2 kg
Camera:
+ HD with Ethernet interface (IP)
+ Video: 1920 x 1080, 25 FPS
+ Features: White Balance Control, 16x Digital Zoom (64 steps), 13 Megapixel Still Image Capture
+ Sensitivity: Less than 1 lux (standard)
+ View Angle: 160 degrees Tilt (180-degree FoV)
- Propulsion:
+ Brushless thruster with integrated controller
+ 4 Vectored Horizontal Thrusters: Forward 26.7 kg
Reverse 15 kg
Lateral 8.6 kg
+ 3 Vertical Thrusters: Up 23.1 kg
Down 12.9 kg
- Power:
+ 400 VDC power module
+ 1500W @ 48VDC
+ Full monitoring of input voltage, output current, temperature
- Communications:
+ 5 x 100Mbps Ethernet ports
+ 5 x RS-485 ports
Lighting:
+ LED
2 independent light arrays each at 38 Watts max
+ 60-degree spot beam
+ 110-degree flood beam
Built to create powerful, secure networks anywhere, the MPU5 unites all your critical data sources in real time – giving you access to the most advanced, most scalable Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET).
Naval Hull Mounted Sonar System (NHMSS) for MCMV (Mine Counter Measure Vehicle) is a Sonar system that its dome is mounted on the bottom of the ship’s hull to search, detect, classify and identify the targets such as mines laid above or on the seafloor. SEAView-1030 is designed for sea mine hunting then display its CONTINUOUS TARGET SIGNALS without getting disrupted from the interference of other backscatters such as ambient noises, false signals... The above mentioned technology is TGT (Tracking Guide Technology), one of the state-of-the-art technology for the MCM (Mine Counter Measure) operations. It is very convenient and accurate to classify real or false target from any of returning signals.
Specifications:
- Transmit power: more than 5kW
- Detection range of anchored mines (-15dB): 1000m
- Transmit frequency:
HF : 300kHz
LF : 100kHz
- Transmit wave: CW & Chirp(band : ±25kHz)
- Searching arc up to 120 degrees
Receive beam width:
HF: ≤1/3°
LF: ≤1°
Resolution: ≤ 3cm
- Pulse length:
HF : 20~400us
LF : 40~1,000us
Chirp (HF/LF) : 250~2,000us
- Size: 1,830(H) x 1,355(W) x 1,020(D) mm
- Weight: 580 kg
- Military mine-scanning software:
TGT(Tracking Guide Technology)
Equipment Condition Check Function
Electronic Chart Mapping Function
Target Searching Function
3D Target Identification Function
SAS technology applied (when operating speed scan)
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