U.S. Navy hits drone with HELIOS laser in successful test

The U.S. Navy has conducted tests of the HELIOS shipboard laser system, during which a drone was destroyed.

The Navy Times reported on this with reference to the report of the Operational Test and Evaluation Department.

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Preble fired its HELIOS system to zap an aerial drone during a weapons testing exercise in 2024.

The tests confirmed its effectiveness, as the ship managed to destroy an airborne target, which was a drone, during the test. The destruction took place in sea conditions.

The HELIOS system is the first laser system integrated into the Aegis combat system and is capable of engaging targets and blinding enemy optical systems. The laser’s power is over 60 kW, which allows it to effectively destroy drones and small surface targets.

In addition to direct missile and air defense, the laser system is capable of long-range surveillance.

The first and so far the only ship to install HELIOS was the destroyer USS Preble (DDG-88) in 2019. The system took the place of the Phalanx bow anti-aircraft artillery system, thereby providing protection in the forward hemisphere of the ship.

Lockheed Martin received its first Navy contract to work on HELIOS in 2018, although the actual development of such a system began much earlier.

The U.S. Department of Defense is currently focusing on developing laser systems to better prepare warships for future confrontations with the massive use of drones.

Laser weapon capabilities against drones are similar to those of anti-aircraft missile systems, but their cost is much lower, as is the ability to use them without long-term reloading and transportation of any ammunition.

Militarnyi reported that the British Army had successfully fired a high-energy laser weapon system (HELWS) mounted on an armored vehicle chassis for the first time.

During the new tests, the operators were soldiers from the 16 Regiment Royal Artillery of the Royal Regiment of Artillery who had undergone appropriate training.