The US Navy is taking delivery of a near-operational high-energy laser weapon system from Lockheed Martin. This laser will be mounted on warships. It could also be the next step in laser weapons technology. Once the laser is up and running, it can destroy targets upto five miles away with pinpoint accuracy.
While it is still in the early phases of development, the HELIOS weapon system has demonstrated its power and ability to disable targets. It has also been proven to have surveillance capabilities. These features will keep evolving as the Navy develops new mission for the system.
HELIOS lasers were designed for integration on ships of the Arleigh Burch class. It meets both the power requirements and space requirements of the vessel. However, the laser needs to be integrated with the combat system of the ship. It will be harder to install and must be tested on land. The laser is expected to be scaled up to 120-150 Kilowatts.
HELIOS was tested on Wallops Island, Virginia. The laser is expected to continue its testing in the Pacific until 2022. During this time, the Navy will determine whether or not the laser can destroy targets at a distance of up to five miles. The USS Portland, a stronger follow-on system, will conduct a test with the laser on a moving aircraft in the Pacific in May 2020.
According to a Congressional Research Center, lasers have the potential for transforming naval warfare. Lasers are much cheaper to deploy then traditional anti-air-missiles and gunpowderbased ordnance. They do not need to be reloaded. Lasers can also be used to strike stationary and moving targets, unlike missiles.
Moreover, the laser can be built at a much lower cost. A laser costs less than traditional anti-air missiles. Each shot is about $1. The lasers do not need propellants and can be transported on an electrical grid. If there is a generator aboard the vessel, it can be used as an additional source of power.
The US Navy has been researching directed energy programs for many years. In fact, the first laser was developed by Theodore Maiman in 1960 at Hughes Research Lab in Malibu, California. The technology has improved a lot since then. The US Navy currently has a variety of directed energy programs in various stages of development. The Layered Laser Defense system is an all-electric weapon. Although the design is still being worked on, it is predicted that the system will be able to operate with unlimited ammunition.
The US Navy tested mounted lasers for their ability to protect ships from unmanned boats. During this test, the laser could knock out a moving target by firing only one bullet.