Powerful US Navy laser on board destroyer hits drone: what is known

During the test, the US military tested the functionality, performance and capabilities of the HELIOS laser system.

The US Navy reported that the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Preble successfully tested its High-Energy Laser Integrated Optical Blinding and Surveillance (HELIOS) system, destroying a drone during a test in 2024. This is written The War Zone with reference to the report of the Pentagon's Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOTE).

According to the report, the US Navy's goal was to test the functionality, performance and capabilities of the HELIOS laser system. Details of the laser attack on the drone were not disclosed.

As noted in the publication, this was the last major demonstration of the prospects of ship-based lasers of the surface fleet, although in recent years other US military laser developments have encountered difficulties.

It is known that in September 2024 the USS Pebble was transferred from San Diego to Japan. Earlier, in 2022, a HELIOS platform with a 60 kW directed energy installation was first seen on board the ship.

The laser weapon replaced one of the paired Mk 15 Phalanx Pebble close combat systems. In addition to the ability to destroy UAVs, this system is also a “dazzling” tool that confuses missiles and optically guided drones.