Secret Service Deploys Military Laser Defense at Mar-a-Lago
NORAD confirmed the AeroVironment LOCUST high-energy laser was deployed around the Florida club at the Secret Service's request.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Military
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U.S. security agencies have deployed a military laser air-defense system at Mar-a-Lago, according to NORAD and U.S. Northern Command. The LOCUST system, built by AeroVironment, is designed to detect, track, and disable drones and aircraft.
Why it matters
The deployment reflects a heightened threat environment the Secret Service is operating in and marks an early field use of directed-energy air defense for protecting a high-profile site. It also signals the Army's move toward fielding high-energy laser weapons.
The LOCUST is a high-energy laser that disables Group 1 through Group 3 drones and aircraft, with a reported engagement cost of less than $10 per shot. The LOCUST X3 is cited with a 20-35+ kilowatt laser power output, though the deployed variant has not been specified.
The players
AeroVironment
AeroVironment is a U.S. defense company that develops unmanned aircraft and directed-energy weapons, and it built the LOCUST laser system.
U.S. Secret Service
The Secret Service is the federal agency responsible for protecting national leaders and sites, and it requested the Mar-a-Lago deployment.
NORAD
The North American Aerospace Defense Command is a binational U.S.-Canada command responsible for aerospace warning and air defense.
The details
The system is mounted on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle at Mar-a-Lago and is part of a wider network that includes radar, infrared sensors, electronic countermeasures, and AN/TWQ-1 Avenger systems on a floating platform. The LOCUST can be deployed fixed, mobile, palletized, or vehicle-mounted.
Timeline
September 2026: The U.S. Army awarded AeroVironment a roughly $464.8 million contract for LOCUST production.
Earlier in 2026: AeroVironment unveiled the LOCUST X3 system.
Military Trajectory
The September contract was the first production of a high-energy laser weapon system in U.S. history, moving the LOCUST from prototype toward fielded air defense. Its use at Mar-a-Lago shows that the Army's directed-energy program is beginning to reach operational protection roles.
Residents and visitors near protected sites should expect expanded security perimeters and restricted airspace during deployments. Drone operators should avoid flying near Mar-a-Lago and other protected locations, as the system is designed to engage such threats.
The takeaway
The LOCUST's move from a production contract to a live deployment shows directed-energy weapons are becoming a practical tool for protecting high-value sites at low cost per engagement. Readers should watch whether later reporting confirms the specific LOCUST variant in use.
Further reading
For related coverage of the Army's air-defense programs, see Military.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Jerusalem Post.
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