US War Dept Selects AeroVironment Directed-Energy Systems for Drone Defense

Key Facts

1The Department of War selected four directed-energy systems, including those from AeroVironment, to enhance domestic drone defense.

The US Department of War selected four directed-energy systems, including those from AeroVironment, to enhance domestic air defense. Reuters reported that the operational pilot program includes high-energy laser and microwave systems from Boeing, Kord, AeroVironment, and Epirus designed to defend against drone swarms.

The selection follows warnings from military leadership that US bases are currently ill-equipped to handle the rapid proliferation of small unmanned aircraft systems. AeroVironment, trading under the ticker AVAV, closed at $137.6 on October 8, 2026, with a session range between $135.75 and $139.62.