NEWS
5/6/2026
Farmers wary of new locust outbreak, despite forecast El Niño
Swarms of locusts in South Australia are not likely to reach outbreak levels, according to experts, with potential El Niño weather conditions forecast.
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ABC Top StoriesLOCUST
Steady3 stories2 sourcesLast updated: 5/6/2026
Related Topicslocust laser weaponuss george bushaircraft carrierlaser weapon systemunmanned aerial vehiclesus navyanti-drone systems26 kilowatts
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NEWS
4/28/2026
Farmers and authorities on alert as locusts migrate to South Australia
Multiple locust swarms in South Australia's Riverland region have put farmers and authorities on alert, prompting the South Australian Plague Locust Commissioner to send surveying teams to the region.
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ABC Top Stories
Developing
Defense·4/21/2026AI summary
US Navy Conducts First Test of Locust Laser Weapon System from Aircraft Carrier
The US Navy conducted the first test of the Locust laser weapon system to destroy unmanned aerial vehicles from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Bush. This marks the first time a laser weapon has been installed on an aircraft carrier. The Locust system, with an estimated power of 26 kilowatts, uses special sensors including high-frequency radars and radio frequency signal detection systems for guidance. While lasers provide virtually unlimited ammunition, they can be affected by weather conditions, smoke, and dust, requiring higher power for longer distances.
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