nLIGHT Inc. ( LASR ) shares surged on Monday. The stock hit a new 52-week high of approximately $69.54.

The catalyst was a 60 Minutes segment aired Sunday night that highlighted laser weapons as a low-cost solution to Iran’s cheap drone threat.

Investor Flags nLIGHT As Key Supplier To Featured Laser System

Individual investor Marc Lehman posted on X Monday, highlighting a connection between nLIGHT and AeroVironment ( AVAV ), noting that nLIGHT supplies technology for the AeroVironment Locust system featured in the recent 60 Minutes segment. The post drew over 21,000 impressions.

AeroVironment Inc. ( AVAV ) manufactures the Locust laser system. The segment featured AeroVironment ( AVAV ) CEO Wahid Nawabi explaining the technology’s appeal.

“It changes the economics on how we can actually defeat and defend against these targets that are now being deployed and produced by tens of thousands,” Nawabi told CBS.

Laser Weapons Offer Sharp Cost Advantage Over Missile Interceptors

The 60 Minutes report laid out a stark cost disparity. Iran’s Shahed drones cost as little as $20,000 each. The U.S. has been shooting them down using missile interceptors costing millions.

Lasers, by contrast, cost just a few dollars per shot. Trump called the technology “incredible” in a March 8 post, saying lasers would do the work of Patriot missiles at far lower cost.

Each Locust unit costs roughly $8 million. The system can be stationary or truck-mounted. Its radars detect drones up to 7 miles away, per 60 Minutes.

A drone attack in Kuwait killed six U.S. service members. U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf were already running low on interceptors within days of the war’s start, CBS News reported.

Iran War And Oil Shock Add Urgency To Defense Technology Bets

The broader geopolitical backdrop is fueling interest in defense names. Brent crude has surged roughly 50% since hostilities escalated around the Strait of Hormuz.

Price Action

LASR Price Action: nLight shares were up 11.09% at $69.54 at the time of publication on Monday. The stock is trading at a new 52-week high, according to Benzinga Pro data. The stock is up roughly 78% year to date and has surged approximately 642% over the past year.

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