US Navy fields laser weapons on 9 destroyers — report - Pravda Japan
AI Analysis
The US Navy has deployed laser weapons – ODIN (dazzler) on 8 destroyers and HELIOS (60kW directed energy weapon) on the USS Preble – to counter drone and fast attack boat threats. The deployment addresses limitations of missile-based defense systems against drone swarms, offering a potentially unlimited magazine depth. Lockheed Martin is developing a 150kW upgrade, with testing funded in the FY2027 budget.
Key Takeaways
- 8 US Navy destroyers equipped with ODIN low-power laser dazzlers.
- USS Preble (Japan-based) carries the HELIOS 60kW high-energy laser.
- Laser systems are intended to counter inexpensive drone swarms, a vulnerability for missile-dependent defenses.
- Lockheed Martin is developing a 150kW laser upgrade.
- FY2027 budget includes funding for further laser weapon testing.
Why It Matters
This deployment signals a shift towards directed energy weapons as a critical component of naval defense, particularly against asymmetric threats like drone swarms. The scalability and cost-effectiveness of laser systems compared to traditional missiles are key advantages, potentially reshaping naval warfare tactics. The development of higher-powered lasers indicates a move towards more destructive capabilities beyond sensor disruption.
US Navy fields laser weapons on 9 destroyers — report - Pravda Japan
US Navy fields laser weapons on 9 destroyers — report
21.05.2026, 10:42 UTC+9
US Navy fields laser weapons on 9 destroyers — report
US Navy fields laser weapons on 9 destroyers — report
A total of 8 ships carry ODIN, a low-power "dazzler" laser designed to blind drone sensors and cameras rather than destroy targets outright, The War Zone reported.
Only USS Preble, deployed in Japan, carries HELIOS — a 60-kilowatt system capable of knocking down small UAVs and burning through fast attack boats.
The driver is simple: Arleigh Burke destroyers carry 90–96 missile cells and can only reload at port. Against swarms of cheap Iranian drones, that's a finite and expensive equation. Lasers have no such limit.
According to the report, Lockheed Martin is now developing a 150kW upgrade. Funding for further testing is included in the FY2027 budget.
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