HELIOS: A breakthrough in defense technology
HELIOS, which stands for High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance, offers both "hard kill" and "soft kill" capabilities. This means it can physically destroy targets ("hard kill") and disrupt their operations ("soft kill"). According to the Bulgarian Military portal, this system is particularly effective against drones, small boats, and potentially incoming missiles.The development of the HELIOS system began in 2018 with a $150 million contract with Lockheed Martin. The system underwent crucial tests in 2020, and its integration on the USS Preble began in 2021. HELIOS operates at a power of 60 kW but can be scaled up to 120 kW, providing flexibility in various operational scenarios.
