US Navy seen firing futuristic drone-destroying laser weapon dubbed ‘Helios’ from warship in incredible declassified pic

A FUTURISTIC drone-destroying laser has been seen firing from a US Navy warship successful an unthinkable declassified image.

The singular representation shows the USS Preble (DDG-88) deploying its formidable HELIOS laser strategy retired astatine oversea arsenic Washington continues to hole successful the look of incoming force threats.

An unmanned aerial conveyance target was struck by the laser arsenic seen successful the image, according to the US Center for Countermeasures (CCM).

HELIOS, which stands for High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance, has been developed by Lockheed Martin to assistance the US Navy.

They are aiming to bring almighty vigor weapons aboard its fleet of vessels to heighten antiaircraft capabilities.

It is susceptible of operating astatine powers succeeding 60 killowatts but it is hoped to 1 time beryllium capable to blast astatine 120 kilowatts depending connected operational needs.

The integrated optical dazzler constituent tin besides origin impermanent blindness for the enemy.

Another cardinal diagnostic is its surveillance diagnostic which helps to disable surveillance sensors of incoming vessels.

When the laser is officially successful usage the Navy aims to usage it blast threats from drones, accelerated onslaught trade and adjacent short-range missiles if necessary.

The archetypal oversea trials of the HELIOS laser connected committee a Arleigh Burke-class destroyer came backmost successful 2021 astatine Wallops Island, Virginia. 

The caller representation was archetypal showcased successful the CCM's yearly study past month.

According to the report: “CCM supported the Navy’s objection connected USS Preble (DDG 88) to verify and validate the functionality, performance, and capableness of the HEL with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance strategy against an unmanned aerial conveyance target.

"CCM collected imagery of the engagements to enactment the valuation of strategy performance.”

It is unclear erstwhile oregon wherever the trial took place.

The USS Preble is the archetypal ever US Navy vas to beryllium equipped with HELIOS.

One of HELIOS' biggest technological benefits is its quality to occurrence for arsenic agelong arsenic it has a power source.

This allows it to beryllium virtually unlimited successful its usage and helps to trim the emblematic stoppages and constraints presently affecting warships.

It is besides the archetypal precocious laser limb integrated with the Aegis combat system.

This allows it to track, engage, and neutralise threats with a greater efficiency.

Western allies are continuing to rapidly amended their defence weaponry arsenic the looming menace of warfare continues to turn crossed the globe.

The US has already been investigating their laser systems for implicit 3 years present with the UK besides starting to make their ain milestone weapon.

The British Army fired their ain mentation of the HELIOS from an armoured conveyance backmost successful December.

It was fired from Wolfhound armoire unit bearer at drones in a trial scope successful Radnor in Wales.

The unnamed limb is simply a miniature mentation of the UK’s world-beating Dragon Fire weapon that has blasted drones from ships.

They enactment by tracking accelerated moving objects and blasting a ace blistery beam of infra-red light.

Lasers could shield British troops from devastating drone strikes seen regular in Ukraine.

Warrant Officer Matthew Anderson, who moving the trials, said the laser had a 100 per cent onslaught rate.

He added: “We’ve been investigating a assortment of distances, speeds and altitudes, 1 happening has remained – however speedy a drone tin beryllium taken out.

“It’s decidedly a capableness that could beryllium added to the arsenal of weapons that we usage connected the battlefield.”