US Navy Tests HELIOS Laser Weapon That Could Obliterate Drones and Missiles—Is This the Future of Warfare? – SOFREP News Team

In Fiscal Year 2024, the US Navy reached a significant milestone in its ongoing pursuit of advanced defensive technologies with the successful demonstration of the HELIOS laser weapon aboard the USS Preble (DDG-88), an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. This test, which involved the high-energy laser system targeting and successfully disabling an aerial drone, represents a critical step toward making shipboard laser weapons an operational reality.

This recently reported demonstration highlights the growing role of directed-energy weapons in modern naval defense, offering a glimpse into the future of high-tech warfare.

The HELIOS Laser Weapon: An Overview

HELIOS, or the High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance, is a versatile and powerful weapon system developed by Lockheed Martin.

With a laser capable of delivering over 60 kilowatts of directed energy, HELIOS is designed to counter a range of modern threats, including drones, fast attack craft, and potentially incoming missiles.

The weapon’s unique dual capabilities—both hard and soft kill—set it apart from traditional missile defense systems.

The “hard kill” capability refers to the laser’s ability to physically destroy its target, while the “soft kill” feature allows it to disrupt the electronics of an incoming threat, such as jamming the communication systems or blinding the sensors of a missile or drone.

This layered defense system provides the flexibility to neutralize threats at various stages of their attack trajectory.

Whether it’s disabling a small drone or preventing a missile from locking onto its target, HELIOS promises to be a crucial tool in the Navy’s defensive arsenal.

The USS Preble’s Sea Trial: A Successful Test of Capability

The USS Preble, a Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, provided the stage for the successful test of the HELIOS system in 2024.

During the demonstration, the ship’s laser was used to engage and destroy a surrogate drone. This test not only validated the weapon’s functionality but also showcased its ability to operate in a real-world environment—away from the controlled conditions of the laboratory.

The exact location and date of the test remain classified, but its significance in advancing the US Navy’s strategic objectives is clear.

This demonstration aligns with the Navy’s increasing demand for shipboard laser systems as an effective countermeasure to the growing number of drone and missile threats that Navy warships face.

Particularly in regions like the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, where the Navy is routinely confronted with missile and drone attacks from hostile forces, the ability to engage threats using a renewable, low-cost energy source like HELIOS becomes invaluable.

The integration of HELIOS onto the USS Preble marks a leap forward in the Navy’s quest for more efficient and sustainable defensive options, reducing reliance on costly missile stockpiles.

Technical Specifications: Power, Range, and Potential

The HELIOS system operates with a remarkable 60 kilowatts of laser power—enough to power around 60 homes simultaneously. This power enables the system to effectively engage a range of targets at an operational range of up to five miles, or 8 kilometers.

The weapon can be further scaled up to deliver up to 120 kilowatts, providing greater flexibility and firepower to combat more complex threats.

Beyond its power output, HELIOS features a highly sophisticated optical dazzler, which serves as both an offensive and defensive tool.

The dazzler can temporarily blind or confuse the optical seekers of incoming threats, rendering them unable to accurately target the ship. This capability, along with its surveillance functions, provides the Navy with a robust layered defense system capable of dealing with a variety of threats in different scenarios.

HELIOS is also designed with scalability in mind.

As threats evolve and become more sophisticated, the system’s architecture allows for an increase in power levels, potentially reaching up to 150 kilowatts. This future-proofing makes HELIOS an adaptable and enduring solution to the Navy’s evolving defense needs.

The Future of HELIOS and Directed-Energy Weapons

HELIOS is just one component of the US Navy’s broader directed-energy weapons strategy, which includes plans for high-power microwave systems and additional laser technologies.

The Navy is keen to continue developing laser weapon systems, as evidenced by their increasing presence on ships like the Preble, the USS Dewey (DDG-105), and the USS Stockdale (DDG-106).

As these technologies mature, they will likely play an increasingly central role in modern naval operations, complementing traditional defense systems like missiles and guns.

The Navy’s commitment to shipboard lasers stems from a fundamental shift in warfare strategy.

Directed-energy weapons, like HELIOS, offer the advantage of being virtually limitless in ammunition, as they rely on electricity instead of physical munitions. This makes them an attractive option for dealing with high-frequency threats, such as drones or small boat swarms, which would otherwise deplete traditional missile stockpiles.

Furthermore, lasers operate at the speed of light, providing an immediate and precise response to incoming threats, a key advantage in fast-paced modern combat.

However, the deployment of such advanced technologies is not without challenges.

Laser weapons currently face limitations in terms of range, power, and atmospheric interference, which can impact their effectiveness in certain conditions. The delicate nature of laser components also means they must be hardened for the rigors of military use.

These realities, highlighted in reports from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), remind us that while directed-energy weapons are promising, their widespread deployment is still a work in progress.

Wrapping Up

The successful demonstration of the HELIOS laser weapon aboard the USS Preble in FY24 marks a pivotal moment in the US Navy’s efforts to integrate cutting-edge directed-energy technologies into its fleet. The HELIOS system offers a versatile, scalable, and efficient solution to counter modern threats, from drones to missiles.

As the Navy continues to develop and refine laser weapon systems, HELIOS represents a glimpse into the future of naval defense—one where renewable, precise, and cost-effective technologies play a central role in safeguarding national security.