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US Navy’s Burke-Class Destroyer Unleashes HELIOS Laser in Breathtaking New Photo
https://thedefensepost.com ^ | Joe Saballa | Joe Saballa

Posted on 02/04/2025 9:38:57 AM PST by bitt

The US Navy has demonstrated the power of its cutting-edge HELIOS laser weapon aboard an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer during an undated sea trial.

In a striking new photo featured in the Pentagon’s annual Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) report, 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.

The recent test represents a significant milestone in Washington’s efforts to develop a cost-effective, high-power laser weapon to counter advanced threats.

‘More Than a Laser’ The HELIOS (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.

Hard kill means the HELIOS can physically destroy its targets, while soft kill allows it to disrupt the electronic components of hostile threats to disable contact with their operators.

“The HELIOS system’s deep magazine, low cost per kill, speed of light delivery, and precision response enable it to address fleet needs now,” Lockheed explained.

(Excerpt) Read more at thedefensepost.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: helios; helioslaser; laser; usn
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1 posted on 02/04/2025 9:38:57 AM PST by bitt
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To: null and void; aragorn; EnigmaticAnomaly; kalee; Kale; AZ .44 MAG; Baynative; bgill; bitt; ...

also see

https://vigilantnews.com/post/stunning-image-of-us-navys-directed-energy-laser-weapon-goes-viral/


2 posted on 02/04/2025 9:39:29 AM PST by bitt (<img src=' 'width=40%>)
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To: bitt
60 kilowatts of directed energy — enough to power up to 60 homes.

Sixty kilowatts ...

That's enough to power 32 hair dryers ...

3 posted on 02/04/2025 9:42:43 AM PST by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: bitt

4 posted on 02/04/2025 9:43:34 AM PST by CtBigPat
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To: NorthMountain

For who? King Kong?..................


5 posted on 02/04/2025 9:43:55 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: bitt
We gotta put this on sharks!


6 posted on 02/04/2025 9:43:56 AM PST by wildcard_redneck ( )
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***


7 posted on 02/04/2025 9:45:19 AM PST by PMAS (Vote with your wallets, there are 80 million of us - No China made, No Amazon)
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To: bitt

“Optical Dazzler”

Now that is great name! “The Dazzler”

“The HELIOS system’s deep magazine, low cost per kill, speed of light delivery...”

But how fast can it fire? What’s the rate of fire? (maybe I should read the article?) It’s weird they talked about all those advantages but didn’t mention the very important recharge time and how many times it can fire before it overheats.


8 posted on 02/04/2025 9:45:29 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom (They were the FA-est of times, they were the FO-est of times.)
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To: bitt

leme know once a video is made public!...


9 posted on 02/04/2025 9:46:13 AM PST by sit-rep
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To: bitt

Lasers or OK, but Microwaves destroy electronic circuitry.


10 posted on 02/04/2025 9:46:50 AM PST by Fractal Trader
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To: bitt

Real Genius.


11 posted on 02/04/2025 9:47:46 AM PST by WeaslesRippedMyFlesh
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To: Red Badger
How much power does this Hair Dryer dissipate?

1875 Watts = 1.875 kilowatts.

12 posted on 02/04/2025 9:48:20 AM PST by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: bitt

I’m looking forward to trials with Somali pirates.


13 posted on 02/04/2025 9:49:28 AM PST by llevrok (Keep buggering on!)
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To: Fractal Trader

How’s it work in the fog?


14 posted on 02/04/2025 9:50:19 AM PST by Samurai_Jack (This is not about hypocrisy, this is about hierarchy!)
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To: llevrok

Gives a new meaning to the command “light ‘em up”.


15 posted on 02/04/2025 9:50:31 AM PST by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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If the beam is 60kW, then there should be a DC power supply putting out maybe 150 to 200kW to run it. That would be a whopper.


16 posted on 02/04/2025 9:52:12 AM PST by Rio
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To: Rio

I’m curious what the duty cycle is. We probably won’t get full specs on it.


17 posted on 02/04/2025 9:53:02 AM PST by Rio
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To: NorthMountain

It’s enough to power 60 homes if they are green, sustainable, about 150 square feet each and have no need for appliances.


18 posted on 02/04/2025 9:53:19 AM PST by 17th Miss Regt (Fascist, deplorable, and proud of it!)
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To: bitt

Umm, can it defend against 36 Oreshnik warheads traveling at Mach 25 simultaneously? How about 5 Oreshnik missiles with 180 warheads simultaneously? Or a swarm of Oreshnik missiles carrying…


19 posted on 02/04/2025 9:55:17 AM PST by hardspunned (Look for the“Putin Stooge” libel, news from Ukraine you’ve gradually grown to trust over 30 months )
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To: WeaslesRippedMyFlesh

But can it make popcorn?


20 posted on 02/04/2025 9:56:08 AM PST by P8riot (You will never know Jesus Christ as a reality in your life until you know Him as a necessity.)
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