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The US Navy will field the first acquisition program to deploy the High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance, or HELIOS, a laser weapon system with high-energy fibre lasers for permanent fielding by the US Department of Defense.
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This will be the only deployed laser system integrated into an operational Arleigh Burke Class Flight IIA Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG).
This follows the Lockheed Martin and Navy’s recent demonstration of full laser power in excess of the 60 kW requirement. The scalable laser design architecture spectrally combines multiple kilowatt fibre lasers to attain high beam quality at various power levels.
Lockheed Martin completed the Critical Design Review and Navy Factory Qualification Test milestones in 2020, demonstrating the value of system engineering rigour and proven Aegis system integration and test processes on the way to delivering operationally effective and suitable laser weapon system that meets the Navy’s mission requirements.
Lockheed Martin Directed Energy solutions provide a proven, affordable, scalable, multi-mission capability and weapon architecture with advanced beam control and innovative fibre lasers that support size, weight and power constraints for air, sea and land platforms.
Lockheed Martin is advancing and demonstrating a range of technologies to position laser weapon systems for success on the battlefield and at-sea on a variety of platforms.
The High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance, or HELIOS, provides the US Navy with game-changing directed energy capability through integration of high energy laser and optical dazzler technology into the ship and combat system.
More than just a high energy laser, HELIOS system’s multi-mission capabilities include long-range intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and counter UAS-mounted ISR (C-ISR) Dazzler.
The HELIOS system’s deep magazine, low cost per kill, speed of light delivery, and precision response enable it to address Fleet needs now and its mature, scalable architecture supports increased laser power levels to counter additional threats in the future.
HELIOS leverages technology building blocks from significant, long-term internal research and development projects that continue to advance the Navy’s goal for fielding laser weapon systems aboard surface ships and putting the Navy on the right side of the cost curve for threat engagements.
In 2020, Lockheed Martin completed the Critical Design Review and Navy Factory Qualification Test milestones, demonstrating the value of system engineering rigour and proven Aegis system integration and test processes on the way to delivering an operationally effective and suitable laser weapon system that meets the Navy’s mission requirements.
During factory testing in Moorestown, New Jersey, HELIOS routinely demonstrated full power operation above 60 kW. The scalable laser design architecture spectrally combines multiple kilowatt fibre lasers to attain high beam quality at various power levels.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
