US Navy Destroyer Fires 60 KW Helios Combat Laser

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The US Navy released a new photo of USS Preble (DDG-88) firing her HELIOS laser weapon.

It is a 60 kilowatt combat laser.

The USS Preble is the first U.S. Navy vessel equipped with HELIOS, a 60-kilowatt-class directed energy laser weapon developed by Lockheed Martin. It is also the first laser weapon integrated with the Aegis combat system, a key feature that enhances the ship’s ability to track, engage, and neutralize threats.

It provides a cost-effective countermeasure against drones, small boats, and other asymmetric threats. The U.S. Navy has been expanding its directed energy arsenal.

12 thoughts on “US Navy Destroyer Fires 60 KW Helios Combat Laser”

  2. [ maybe fits to fundamental physics, like laser beams: altermagnetism

    “The study authors noticed altermagnetism when they used photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) to study manganese telluride (MnTe). PEEM involves using X-rays to eject electrons from the surface of a material, and then image those electrons to reveal several properties of the material.” (thx) ]

  3. I don’t know how very accurate that “phaser like beam” in the image, is. But most effective frequencies in military lasers, are outside of visual range. Shorter frequencies fry electronics, and “punch threw” a target like a bullet. (If powerful enough) IR frequencies “burn threw” their targets. IMO, it’s ideal, for all effective frequencies to be employed. But that’s problematic. Longer frequencies (like IR) require more power, over longer time, to “do anything”. Burning threw something, is never so neat, as punching a hole in it. With enough power (I suggest in the low mega-watt range), any “reasonable” laser, will have a concussive effect on it’s target. Point?

    Any laser hitting it’s target with enough energy will not burn threw or drill threw it’s target. It will blow it up. More energy received, by any target that can’t be dissipated? Poop happens. Watching what happens in this field…

    • The laser might be IR but the wet air interact with the beam. Don’t think the beam is as wide as the visual effect anyway you want an narrow beam as it does more damage on target and is less affected by the atmosphere. You want it 3 times more powerful and then its an game changer.
      US air force has thought of an air superiority laser gunship. Larger than current fighters more like an small bomber and not very agile but it has an laser with multiple turrets so it can shoot down missiles from any directions.

      For the visuals, 10/10 Yes an Iowa broadside looks better but its another size of ships.
      And how much better it look than scifi lasers and stuff.

      • You make a good point about “beam blooming”, that excites moisture in the air, which makes it (the actual laser beam) more visible. But that only goes so far. But that effect, lasts for a fraction of a millisecond. The laser, very quickly evaporates the moisture in any atmosphere it goes threw. To “catch that”, “beam”, on film or video, would be very quick, rare, and unfortunately, very anticlimactic. Sorry gang, no “Star Wars” cool here…

        The most effective laser weapons, operate at frequencies you will never see (or could), and you’ll only notice that, when they blow your plane or drone, out of the sky. Isn’t that what our military should do? Less theater, more results…

        • Good point, however the beam was very visible all the time in the video.
          Now they might have rotated the gun for this effect.
          And you would prefer to use UV lasers but think scaling an efficiency is primary here.

    • Or cheap intumescent or ablative (fire-proof paints) coatings. A layer of wood laminate covering would add significant protection.

  5. “Power density at origin and divergence of the beam should be of interest, I think.”

    Probably…but the term(s) “classified” and “need-to-know” come to mind. Wonder how powerful our shipboard lasers would have to be to be contenders to stop/destroy incoming Russian and or Chinese hypersonic missiles?

  6. In muy humble opinion, to categorize a combat laser using only power looks like incomplete. Power density at origin and divergence of the beam should be of interest, I think.

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