AeroVironment Stock Climbs 2.3% After '60 Minutes' Laser Showcase

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·Mar 17 2026, 02:17

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Key Takeaways

AeroVironment's stock gained after a high-profile television feature on its cost-effective laser weapon system. The technology addresses the significant economic disparity in modern aerial warfare, where cheap drones are often countered by multimillion-dollar missiles. While the company has seen strong annual growth, it faces headwinds from a major contract being re-evaluated.

Stock Boost: AeroVironment (AVAV) shares rose 2.3% to $211.88 after its LOCUST laser system was featured on the '60 Minutes' news program.
Economic Warfare: The company's technology offers a low-cost countermeasure to drones costing $20,000 to $40,000, which are currently shot down by missiles that cost $4 million each.
Performance Context: Despite being up 60% over the past year, the stock is down 14% year-to-date after a subsidiary's $1.7 billion contract was put up for rebidding.

AVAV Stock Climbs 2.3% as Laser Tech Gains National Spotlight

AeroVironment shares (AVAV) increased 2.3% to $211.88 on Monday, outpacing the S&P 500's 1% gain. The advance was driven by a '60 Minutes' segment featuring CEO Wahid Nawabi, who detailed the company's advanced laser technology designed to counter the growing threat of low-cost drones.

LOCUST Laser Addresses $4M Missile Disparity

The core of the discussion was the unsustainable economics of using missiles costing $4 million each to neutralize drones manufactured for as little as $20,000. AeroVironment's LOCUST directed energy laser system presents a direct solution, reportedly costing just a few dollars per shot. This system uses artificial intelligence to find, lock onto, and track a target, burning through a drone's hull in seconds. The company has already deployed LOCUST systems for the U.S. government, including operations to counter drug cartel drones along the border.

Company Navigates Contract Setback Despite 60% Annual Gain

While the '60 Minutes' feature provided a boost, AeroVironment's stock remains down 14% year-to-date. This decline followed the announcement that a $1.7 billion Space Force contract, initially won by its subsidiary BlueHalo, would be put up for rebidding. The news overshadowed strong long-term performance, with the stock having appreciated 60% over the past 12 months, largely fueled by increased defense spending on autonomous systems and the prominence of its Switchblade drones in Ukraine. With a market capitalization of $10 billion, AeroVironment is a significant, if not household, name in the defense technology sector.