U.S. Navy Successfully Tests HELIOS Laser Weapon on Warship

The HELIOS system demonstrated its ability to neutralize aerial drones, marking progress in cost-effective, directed-energy defense technology.

The U.S. Navy tested the High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) aboard the USS Preble in 2024, confirming its operational capabilities.
The HELIOS system, developed by Lockheed Martin, uses a 60-kilowatt laser to destroy or disable drones, boats, and potentially missiles with precision and speed-of-light delivery.
The weapon offers both 'hard kill' capabilities, such as melting targets, and 'soft kill' options, like disrupting enemy sensors and reconnaissance systems.
The Navy plans additional testing of HELIOS in 2025, including evaluations against cruise missiles, as part of its efforts to integrate laser-based defenses into its fleet.
HELIOS represents a cost-efficient alternative to traditional missile systems, potentially transforming naval warfare by reducing reliance on expensive ammunition.