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The High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) is a 60 kW+ high energy laser designed to intercept aerial threats such as drones, missiles, and other airborne targets and even small boats. It was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin, which was awarded a contract to design such a weapon in January 2018. In 2019, it was announced that it would be mounted on the USS Preble (DDG-88).
The HELIOS system is meant to operate in many different ways, including long range Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR). Its main advantages are its nearly unlimited magazine, low cost to kill and the speed and precision with which it can intercept a target. The system works by firing a 60 kW fiber optic laser at the speed of light to melt or overheat the target. Although it was marketed as a 60 kW laser, it has routinely proven that it can fully operate above the 60 kW threshold, and is planned to be scaled to 120 kW in the future.[1] It is believed that the 60-120 kW versions of the laser will be capable of taking down anti-ship cruise missiles.[2]
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