Navy to deploy 60-kilowatt laser weapons aboard Burke-class destroyers with enhance power and precision

Feb. 4, 2021
HELIOS is a 60-kilowatt laser weapon with several kilowatt fibers to reach new levels of precision, surveillance, beam quality, strength, and power.

WASHINGTON – Navy destroyers soon will be armed with high-power 60-kilowatt laser weapons that can track and incinerate attacking drone targets at sea. Kris Osborn of Warrior Maven reports. Continue reading original article

The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:

4 Feb. 2020 -- Lasers have been operational for years, as the Navy’s Laser Weapons System (LAWs) went to sea aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce since 2014.

Yet the service has been working for many years with industry to refine, sharpen, strengthen, and power-scale new laser weapons. One of them, called High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS), soon will be arming U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA destroyers.

HELIOS is go on the Burke-class destroyer USS Preble later this year. The Lockheed Martin-built weapon is operational now, and is to be integrated aboard destroyers later this year, following testing at Wallops Island, Va.

Related: Laser weapons get ready for the big time

Related: At long last, laser weapons are nearing deployment

Related: Navy developing powerful laser weapons for front-line surface warships

John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Military Aerospace, create an account today!