US Navy’s Burke-Class Destroyer Unleashes HELIOS Laser in Breathtaking New Photo
US Navy’s Burke-Class Destroyer Unleashes HELIOS Laser in Breathtaking New Photo
US Navy’s Burke-Class Destroyer Unleashes HELIOS Laser in Breathtaking New Photo
US Navy’s Burke-Class Destroyer Unleashes HELIOS Laser in Breathtaking New Photo
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From the article
>In a striking new photo featured in the Pentagon’s annual Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) [report](https://www.dote.osd.mil/Portals/97/pub/reports/FY2024/other/2024Annual-Report.pdf?ver=WLJFmx7nkeDHIuvrtKyfGQ%3d%3d), the USS Preble was seen firing the high-energy weapon at an unidentified target.
>It was later revealed that the laser was targeting a surrogate drone, validating its performance and capabilities in a real-world operational environment.
>While the location and exact date remain classified, the report confirms that the demonstration took place sometime during Fiscal Year 2024.
Also from the article
>The [HELIOS](https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/features/2021/more-than-a-laser-helios-is-an-integrated-weapon-system.html) (High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance) is a versatile weapon designed to counter a range of modern threats, including drones, fast attack craft, and potentially incoming missiles.
>Developed by Lockheed Martin, it can deliver over 60 kilowatts of directed energy — enough to power up to 60 homes.
>One of its most unusual features is its layered defense approach, enabling both hard and soft kills of hostile threats.
Question for experts:
Wouldn’t this laser be easily neutered by coating the drone with a reflective surface?
It sounds like it’s more of an “optical dazzler” (powerful flashlight) than a deathray
Yeah but can it clean an old coin up nice and shiny?
How long would the laser need to remain on target long enough to cause a mobility kill/kill on an approaching surface or airborne drone?
This is what they will need to do to create defenses against Russia’s hypersonic missiles.
It can not hit other ships over the horizon? Only aircraft!
“The HELIOS (High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance) ”
There’s a backronym if I ever saw one.
Ok, but can it make large amounts of popcorn from orbit?
For ground and sea based targets, is its useful range limited to the horizon?
Would have been nice to have this on my destroyer this past summer while we were getting chased by drones….
Totally practical in a rainy foggy marine environment. Remember lots of sea battles in the Pacific were conducted in rain and fog.
>enough to power up to 60 homes
and
>low cost per kill
seem at odds…
This is what you have instead of food stamps and medicine.
Back in the 60’s, I had a weather changing machine that was, in essence, a sophisticated heat beam which we called a “laser.” Using these “lasers,” we punch a hole in the protective layer around the Earth, which we scientists call the “Ozone Layer.”
If it doesn’t make PEW PEW sounds I would be greatly disappointed.
“Developed by Lockheed Martin, it can deliver over 60 kilowatts of directed energy — enough to power up to 60 homes.”
[My AMD 9950x + nVidia 5090 has entered the chat]