Can this laser shoot down hypersonic missiles?

[syed putra]

American warship downs drones with laser weapon

• SEA

American warship downs drones with laser weapon​

By
Lisa West
-
February 3, 2026
19


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The US Navy has confirmed that a frontline destroyer has successfully used a ship-mounted laser weapon to defeat multiple uncrewed aerial threats during a recent at-sea demonstration.​

According to Lockheed Martin, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Preble employed its High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance system, known as HELIOS, to engage and neutralise four drones during a Navy-run counter-UAS event. The activity took place last year and was disclosed publicly as part of the company’s latest financial update.

Lockheed Martin chief executive Jim Taiclet said the demonstration showed how lasers could provide a practical alternative to traditional missile-based defences for close-range threats. He described the system as having successfully knocked incoming uncrewed aircraft out of the sky, highlighting the potential to conserve expensive interceptor missiles for higher-end targets.

 

[k1976]

I

American warship downs drones with laser weapon

• SEA

American warship downs drones with laser weapon​

By
Lisa West
-
February 3, 2026
19


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The US Navy has confirmed that a frontline destroyer has successfully used a ship-mounted laser weapon to defeat multiple uncrewed aerial threats during a recent at-sea demonstration.​

According to Lockheed Martin, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Preble employed its High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance system, known as HELIOS, to engage and neutralise four drones during a Navy-run counter-UAS event. The activity took place last year and was disclosed publicly as part of the company’s latest financial update.

Lockheed Martin chief executive Jim Taiclet said the demonstration showed how lasers could provide a practical alternative to traditional missile-based defences for close-range threats. He described the system as having successfully knocked incoming uncrewed aircraft out of the sky, highlighting the potential to conserve expensive interceptor missiles for higher-end targets.

If no fog no mist…maybe some chance

 

[k1976]

But targeting can be a issue at close promixity de