Lockheed Martin gives the Pentagon a 300-kilowatt HELSI battle laser - the world's most powerful Death Star

The U.S. Department of Defense has received the most powerful combat laser in the world. It was developed by Lockheed Martin and is called HELSI (High Energy Laser Scaling Initiative).

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HELSI has a power of 300 kW, which will be enough not only to destroy drones, but also to intercept missiles. This is five times more than the HELIOS (High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance) laser. It, too, was developed by Lockheed Martin. The laser is installed on the USS Preble.

In the coming months, the Pentagon will begin testing the system together with Lockheed Martin Advanced Product Solutions specialists. The manufacturer will give the military a HELSI-based IFPC-HEL demonstration unit this year.

The laser weapon has several advantages over traditional weapons. First, it will reduce the cost of the shot. Second, using a laser reduces indirect damage from firing and destroying the target. Also, it looks spectacular and you can always draw comparisons with the Death Star from Star Wars.

As we noted above, it was the destroyer USS Preble that first received the laser launcher. This is due to the fact that the U.S. Navy is most interested in getting a weapon for which it would not have to store ammunition on board the ship.

Source: Lockheed Martin