USS Preble Utilizes Lockheed Martin's HELIOS Laser to Neutralize Drones in Navy Demonstration
The USS Preble successfully employed Lockheed Martin's HELIOS laser system to neutralize four drones during a Navy counter-UAS demonstration, showcasing its effectiveness as a cost-efficient alternative to traditional missile defenses. The 60-kilowatt laser, integrated with the Aegis Combat System, can execute both soft-kill and hard-kill functions, emphasizing its role in conserving interceptor missiles for more significant threats. This advancement aligns with the Navy's Homeland Defense Mission and the Golden Dome initiative.

The USS Preble, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, successfully used Lockheed Martin's High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance system (HELIOS) to neutralize four drones during a Navy counter-UAS event last year. This demonstration, disclosed in Lockheed Martin's financial update, highlights the potential of laser systems as a cost-effective alternative to traditional missile defenses for close-range threats.
The HELIOS system, a 60-kilowatt class laser integrated with the Aegis Combat System, can perform both soft-kill functions and hard-kill engagements. Lockheed Martin emphasizes the system's role in conserving interceptor missiles for higher-end threats and its alignment with the Homeland Defense Mission, including the Golden Dome initiative.




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