The U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Preble successfully used its Lockheed Martin-built HELIOS laser system to neutralize four drone threats in a single at-sea demonstration last fall. This test, revealed by Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet, marks a significant step toward the Navy’s goal of making directed energy weapons the primary defense for warships against close-in threats, though technical and fielding hurdles remain.
In the crowded threat environment of modern naval warfare, where drones and missiles can arrive in swarms, traditional defenses risk being overwhelmed. The recent disclosure that the USS Preble used its High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system to knock four drones out of the sky is more than a successful test—it’s a statement of intent. As reported by The War Zone, this multi-target engagement demonstrates the system’s evolving capability in a scenario that mirrors real-world challenges faced by fleets in regions like the Red Sea.
About the Product, the HELIOS system tackles the growing and asymmetric threat of inexpensive, numerous unmanned aerial systems. The Basic Function of this 60-kilowatt-class laser is to provide a ship with a “deep magazine” defense. It can destroy or damage drones and small boats or dazzle their optical sensors, all while conserving expensive kinetic missiles for higher-end threats. As Lockheed Martin’s Jim Taiclet stated, this showcases “an opportunity to eliminate drone attacks using lasers, and saving U.S. and allied air defense missiles for more advanced threats.”
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The push to integrate this technology is being championed at the highest levels of the U.S. Navy. The Innovator & Engineer behind the fleet’s drive is a combination of industry, led by Lockheed Martin, and naval leadership, notably Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle and Surface Warfare Boss Vice Adm. Brendan McLane. McLane has been vocal about his commitment, stating, “The dream of a laser on every ship can become a real one.” Their vision is clear: to make directed energy the first, go-to solution for point defense.
However, a critical Limitation tempers this promising vision. As a line-of-sight weapon, a single laser like HELIOS can only engage one target at a time, and its effectiveness diminishes with distance and can be degraded by atmospheric conditions like fog, rain, or dust. Furthermore, these systems demand immense power and cooling, and their sensitive optics face reliability challenges in the harsh, saltwater environment of sea duty. These engineering hurdles are why HELIOS remains a solitary prototype on the USS Preble, while less powerful ODIN dazzler systems are more widely fitted.
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Despite the challenges, the strategic value is undeniable. The Summary of this technological pursuit is a fundamental shift in defensive economics and capability. A laser provides a nearly unlimited magazine compared to $1 million Rolling Airframe Missiles or the limited ammunition of a Phalanx Close-In Weapon System. This allows ships to stay on station longer and re-optimize their payloads for offensive strikes. The success aboard the USS Preble is a foundational step toward this future, informing the design of next-generation vessels like the DDG(X) and the Trump-class “battleships,” which are envisioned to field even more powerful, possibly megawatt-class, lasers.
The path forward requires continued iteration. As Adm. Caudle noted, the goal is for any line-of-sight threat to meet a directed energy solution first. The four drones downed by the USS Preble aren’t just wreckage; they are proof points in the U.S. Navy’s determined, if complex, campaign to turn the lightning of laser weapons into a standard shield for the fleet.
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