The U.S. Navy is leading the directed energy weapons revolution with high-energy laser (HEL) systems. These weapons are not just futuristic technology; they have already begun real-world testing on warships, offering effective, low-cost defense and instantaneous response capabilities against modern threats such as attack drones, cruise missiles, and other airborne targets.
One of the most prominent systems currently is HELIOS (High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance), developed by Lockheed Martin, with a power output of approximately 60 kW. This system has been installed on the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Preble (DDG-88) since 2022. By 2025, HELIOS reached a significant milestone by successfully shooting down four drones in a counter-UAS (anti-drone anti-aircraft weapon) test at sea. This is clear evidence of the ability to integrate HELIOS into the Aegis Combat System, allowing warships to detect, track, and destroy targets in seconds.
Unlike traditional missiles (which cost millions of dollars each), the HELIOS laser costs only about $1 per sH๏τ and has virtually unlimited ammunition – as long as the ship has power. Its light-speed allows it to intercept targets at long distances without worrying about wind or gravity. In addition to “hard kill” capabilities, HELIOS also has “soft kill” capabilities, such as blinding drone sensors or optical dazzlers.
Before HELIOS, the US Navy successfully tested the LaWS (Laser Weapon System) on the USS Ponce in 2014, which sH๏τ down drones and disabled small boats in the Persian Gulf. Currently, systems like ODIN (Optical Dazzling Interdictor, Navy) are also being deployed on many destroyers to support defense. By early 2026, the Pentagon aims to deploy lasers on a large scale within the next three years, even reaching megawatt power for a new class of warships.
However, laser technology still faces challenges: performance decreases in fog, heavy rain, or dust; it requires a powerful power source (Arleigh Burke-class ships are being upgraded); and its ability to counter hypersonic missiles is still being further tested. Nevertheless, recent combat tests (including operations in the Red Sea and in the area of confrontation with Iranian drones) show that lasers are gradually becoming an indispensable “shield.”
With HELIOS and subsequent systems, the US Navy will not only protect its fleet but also change the way it conducts naval warfare: shifting from “firing bullets” to “firing beams.” This is a crucial step in helping the US maintain an advantage against asymmetrical threats from drone swarms and inexpensive missiles.
What are your thoughts on the future of laser weapons at sea? How will this technology change the landscape of modern warfare? Share your thoughts below!
