An American destroyer intercepted a drone with a 60-kilowatt laser cannon-
The U.S. Center for Countermeasures (CCM) played a key role in supporting the U.S. Navy’s demonstration aboard the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88), in which the High-Energy Laser with Optical Dazzler and Tracking (HELIOS) was tested against its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Targeting and Operations System (UAV). This critical event, documented in the Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report released by the Department of Defense, Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) in January 2025, marks a significant step in the transition of directed energy laser weapon systems from development platforms to fully integrated naval weapons.
During the test, the US Countermeasures Center (CCM) collected high-resolution composite imagery to support a comprehensive performance analysis, highlighting the strategic importance of HELIOS in improving the Navy’s ability to counter emerging air threats at sea.
The successful deployment of the 60-kilowatt HELIOS (Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance) laser weapon system aboard USS Preble marks a transformative moment in naval warfare as the US Navy continues its transition to integrating directed energy technologies to counter threats emerging Airborne Threats at Sea.
The successful deployment of the 60-kilowatt HELIOS (Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance) laser weapon system aboard the USS Preble marks a transformative moment in naval warfare as the U.S. Navy continues its transition to integrating directed energy technologies to address evolving threats.
A key driver of this transition is the increasing sophistication and volume of low-cost aerial threats, particularly UAVs (unmanned aerial systems) and drone swarms, which are challenging traditional shipboard defense systems in terms of cost, response time, and sustainability during prolonged conflicts.
The FY2024 test marks a critical transition from development to field capability. With real-world validation now achieved, the U.S. Navy is poised to expand the deployment of directed energy systems to more vessels across the fleet.
As the threat to the maritime domain grows, and as adversaries increasingly turn to asymmetric tactics such as drone swarms and electronic warfare, the need for systems the need for appropriate, cost-effective, and accurate shipboard defense systems is becoming more urgent.
The successful testing of the HELIOS laser weapon system aboard the USS Preble not only demonstrates the technological advancements of the U.S. Navy but also reflects a strategic evolution in naval warfare doctrine.
Directed energy weapons, once relegated to the realm of science fiction, are now becoming essential tools in the modern naval arsenal—quiet, efficient, and deadly at the speed of light.
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