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The US Navy has released stunning images showing its incredible new drone-destroying laser weapon in action for the first time.
The HELIOS system was tested aboard the USS Preble, with photos capturing its bright beam shooting an unmanned aerial vehicle out of the sky.
HELIOS, which stands for High Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance, was developed by Lockheed Martin in 2021 and delivered to the Navy a year later.
The system blasts more than 60 kilowatts of directed energy, enough to power up to 60 homes, at the speed of light and can hit targets up to five miles away.
It is designed to counter a range of threats, including drones, small boats, and potentially incoming missiles.
HELIOS was also designed to disrupt the intelligence and reconnaissance sensors on enemy vessels.
The testing comes as threats against America's warships are growing as foreign nations stock their arsenals with drones and anti-ship missiles.
The US Naval Institute said in a recent report: 'The drone threat has been around for years, but the Navy has yet to prioritize defending against these easily acquired weapons.'
'Expecting sailors who shoot shotguns, rifles, or machine guns twice a year on a range to be able to engage multiple small, fast-moving targets is unreasonable, 'the report added.
'Even if a few sailors were expert shooters capable of shooting down drones, it likely would take a few minutes from the first report of a potential drone to identify the drone, raise the alarm, and bring key weapons and associated ammunition to bear against the threat—time the ship might not have.'
The HELIOS system was tested aboard the USS Preble, with photos capturing its bright beam shooting an unmanned aerial vehicle out of the sky.
TGWSun Mountain 2025 C130 Hybrid Golf Cart Bag Light Blue/Navy
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HELIOS, which stands for High Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance, was developed by Lockheed Martin in 2021 and delivered to the Navy a year later.
The system blasts more than 60 kilowatts of directed energy, enough to power up to 60 homes, at the speed of light and can hit targets up to five miles away.
It is designed to counter a range of threats, including drones, small boats, and potentially incoming missiles.
HELIOS was also designed to disrupt the intelligence and reconnaissance sensors on enemy vessels.
The testing comes as threats against America's warships are growing as foreign nations stock their arsenals with drones and anti-ship missiles.
The US Naval Institute said in a recent report: 'The drone threat has been around for years, but the Navy has yet to prioritize defending against these easily acquired weapons.'
The US Navy conducted the first tests of its drone-kill laser weapon
The images showed the beam targeting a drone above the ship, shooting it down in a ball of flames
'Expecting sailors who shoot shotguns, rifles, or machine guns twice a year on a range to be able to engage multiple small, fast-moving targets is unreasonable, 'the report added.
'Even if a few sailors were expert shooters capable of shooting down drones, it likely would take a few minutes from the first report of a potential drone to identify the drone, raise the alarm, and bring key weapons and associated ammunition to bear against the threat—time the ship might not have.'
https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/new...owerful-destroyer/vi-BB1r9GiC?ocid=entnewsntp
But the Navy sees its new HELIOS as a way to fight back, showing off its capabilities on the open ocean.
The US Center for Countermeasures (CCM) released details on the testing, SWNS reported.
The images showed the beam targeting a drone above the ship, shooting it down in a ball of flames.
'CCM supported the Navy’s demonstration on USS Preble (DDG 88) to verify and validate the functionality, performance, and capability of the HEL with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance system against an unmanned aerial vehicle target, it shared in a report.
The weapon was integrated into the ship's combat system, enhancing its target detection and tracking capabilities.
HELIOS can fire for as long as it has power, which it collects from the ship.
And because the ship's power source is constantly replenished, the laser has an unlimited supply of power.
The test comes as a Homeland Security Advisor and billionaire Marc Andreessen suggested AI-powered jets will be the main fighters in future wars.
The US Navy has released stunning images showing its incredible new drone-destroying laser weapon in action for the first time.
The HELIOS system was tested aboard the USS Preble, with photos capturing its bright beam shooting an unmanned aerial vehicle out of the sky.
HELIOS, which stands for High Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance, was developed by Lockheed Martin in 2021 and delivered to the Navy a year later.
The system blasts more than 60 kilowatts of directed energy, enough to power up to 60 homes, at the speed of light and can hit targets up to five miles away.
It is designed to counter a range of threats, including drones, small boats, and potentially incoming missiles.
HELIOS was also designed to disrupt the intelligence and reconnaissance sensors on enemy vessels.
The testing comes as threats against America's warships are growing as foreign nations stock their arsenals with drones and anti-ship missiles.
The US Naval Institute said in a recent report: 'The drone threat has been around for years, but the Navy has yet to prioritize defending against these easily acquired weapons.'
'Expecting sailors who shoot shotguns, rifles, or machine guns twice a year on a range to be able to engage multiple small, fast-moving targets is unreasonable, 'the report added.
'Even if a few sailors were expert shooters capable of shooting down drones, it likely would take a few minutes from the first report of a potential drone to identify the drone, raise the alarm, and bring key weapons and associated ammunition to bear against the threat—time the ship might not have.'
- READ MORE: US military launches missile tests hours after 2024 election
The HELIOS system was tested aboard the USS Preble, with photos capturing its bright beam shooting an unmanned aerial vehicle out of the sky.
TGWSun Mountain 2025 C130 Hybrid Golf Cart Bag Light Blue/Navy
Ad
HELIOS, which stands for High Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance, was developed by Lockheed Martin in 2021 and delivered to the Navy a year later.
The system blasts more than 60 kilowatts of directed energy, enough to power up to 60 homes, at the speed of light and can hit targets up to five miles away.
It is designed to counter a range of threats, including drones, small boats, and potentially incoming missiles.
HELIOS was also designed to disrupt the intelligence and reconnaissance sensors on enemy vessels.
The testing comes as threats against America's warships are growing as foreign nations stock their arsenals with drones and anti-ship missiles.
The US Naval Institute said in a recent report: 'The drone threat has been around for years, but the Navy has yet to prioritize defending against these easily acquired weapons.'
The US Navy conducted the first tests of its drone-kill laser weapon
The images showed the beam targeting a drone above the ship, shooting it down in a ball of flames
'Expecting sailors who shoot shotguns, rifles, or machine guns twice a year on a range to be able to engage multiple small, fast-moving targets is unreasonable, 'the report added.
'Even if a few sailors were expert shooters capable of shooting down drones, it likely would take a few minutes from the first report of a potential drone to identify the drone, raise the alarm, and bring key weapons and associated ammunition to bear against the threat—time the ship might not have.'
https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/new...owerful-destroyer/vi-BB1r9GiC?ocid=entnewsntp
But the Navy sees its new HELIOS as a way to fight back, showing off its capabilities on the open ocean.
The US Center for Countermeasures (CCM) released details on the testing, SWNS reported.
The images showed the beam targeting a drone above the ship, shooting it down in a ball of flames.
'CCM supported the Navy’s demonstration on USS Preble (DDG 88) to verify and validate the functionality, performance, and capability of the HEL with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance system against an unmanned aerial vehicle target, it shared in a report.
The weapon was integrated into the ship's combat system, enhancing its target detection and tracking capabilities.
HELIOS can fire for as long as it has power, which it collects from the ship.
And because the ship's power source is constantly replenished, the laser has an unlimited supply of power.
The test comes as a Homeland Security Advisor and billionaire Marc Andreessen suggested AI-powered jets will be the main fighters in future wars.
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European nations must provide the "overwhelming" share of funding for Ukraine, the new US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said, as he signaled a drastic shift in Washington's position on the war. Speaking at a defense summit in Brussels, Hegseth said the US would no longer "tolerate an imbalanced relationship" with its allies and called on NATO members to spend much more on defense.
He also said it was "unrealistic" to expect Ukraine to return to its pre-2014 borders and downplayed the prospect of Ukraine joining Nato. The comments came as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin held a "lengthy" phone call in which they agreed to begin negotiations to end the war.
He also said it was "unrealistic" to expect Ukraine to return to its pre-2014 borders and downplayed the prospect of Ukraine joining Nato. The comments came as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin held a "lengthy" phone call in which they agreed to begin negotiations to end the war.
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Trump Effect: E.U. Countries Launch Rushed Summit on Ukraine, European Security
Leaders from key European countries will gather Monday to discuss the continent's security in a rushed meeting as U.S. efforts to end the Ukraine war pick up speed.
www.breitbart.com
Leaders from key European countries will gather Monday to discuss the continent’s security in a rushed meeting as U.S. efforts to end the Ukraine war pick up speed. France’s President Emmanuel Macron will lead the hastily convened meeting in Paris.
U.S. President Donald Trump blindsided Ukraine and its European backers this week by initiating direct discussions on Russia’s invasion in a call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, as Breitbart News reported.
The E.U. is now rushing to keep up with Trump’s direct intervention and search for an end to fighting alongside a lasting peace.
The new U.S. administration also warned its NATO allies Europe will no longer be its top security priority and it may shift forces to as it switches focus to China.
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Watchdog says Israel is advancing plans for nearly 1,000 more settler homes in West Bank
An anti-settlement watchdog says Israel has issued tenders for the construction of nearly 1,000 additional settler homes in the occupied West Bank.
apnews.com
Israel captured the West Bank, along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem, in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want all three territories for their future state and view the settlements as a major obstacle to peace, a position with wide international support.
Wars have consequences...
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It would be a shame if something happened to your new aircraft carrier... 
www.jpost.com
Iran at 'extremely high level' to counter threats, Khamenei says
Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei vows to advance defense capabilities as the country launches its new aircraft carrier, Shahid Bagheri, heightening tensions with Israel and the US.
www.jpost.com