The USS Preble recently completed a successful test of the HELIOS laser weapon system, designed to eliminate drones and small boats at the speed of light with more than 60 kilowatts of power. Integrated with the Aegis combat system, this technology proved its effectiveness against unmanned aerial vehicles during a demonstration in Japan.
The significance of HELIOS lies in its ability to provide nearly limitless defensive capacity against evolving drone risks, only necessitating a power source for operation. This development is crucial as naval ships encounter growing threats from drones and anti-ship missiles, especially in disputed maritime territories.