The U.S. Navy has developed a directed-energy weapon that can intercept unmanned drones and possibly cruise missiles while enhancing naval operations in combat areas.

The undated image shows the U.S. Navy testing a weapon system known as HELIOS from the USS Preble destroyer in the middle of the ocean.

In the vast expanse of the ocean, a streak of white light pierces the sky. It’s not a natural phenomenon, but a weapon — a high-energy laser fired from the deck of a U.S. Navy destroyer. This is HELIOS, the High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance, and it represents a bold step into the future of military technology.

The US Navy’s HELIOS laser weapon, a cutting-edge directed energy system, has demonstrated its potential in recent tests, taking down aerial threats with precision. Installed on USS Preble, HELIOS represents a major shift in naval defence,

Combining a high-energy laser with an optical dazzler, HELIOS can both destroy and disable threats, as well as disrupt enemy sensors.