U.S. Navy Tests HELIOS Laser Weapon on USS Preble

The USS Preble, equipped with a 60-kilowatt HELIOS laser system, successfully targeted a drone in a demonstration of advanced directed energy technology.

The USS Preble, stationed in the Western Pacific, fired its HELIOS laser weapon during a test to validate its performance against an unmanned aerial vehicle.
HELIOS, developed by Lockheed Martin, integrates a high-energy laser, an optical dazzler, and surveillance capabilities into the Navy's Aegis combat system.
The system can neutralize drones, fast attack craft, and potentially missiles by overheating or melting targets, offering cost-effective defense compared to traditional weapons.
The test was one of 32 countermeasure demonstrations conducted by the U.S. Navy in fiscal year 2024, with further testing planned in 2025.
The HELIOS weapon is part of a broader effort by the Navy to advance directed energy systems, with potential integration onto additional destroyers under consideration.