Congress Drafts Funds for Containerized Navy HELIOS Laser

Members of Congress are advancing an early draft of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act that would direct the Navy to develop a containerized version of its High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance system. ” The House Armed Services Committee released the draft earlier this week.

The Navy currently operates one HELIOS unit, designated Mk 5 Mod 0, installed on the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Preble. The service lists the system as a non-program-of-record research-and-development asset in its fiscal 2027 budget submission.

HELIOS is a 60-kilowatt-class laser capable of damaging or destroying drones and small boats, a performance demonstrated in multiple tests. The Navy has discussed scaling the system to 150 kilowatts in earlier planning documents.

6 million for the Joint Laser Weapon System program, which includes plans for 150-, 300-, and 500-kilowatt-class containerized lasers. A separate Optical Dazzling Interdictor, Navy system is installed on seven other Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and is used for training at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division.

Containerized and palletized designs allow integration on carriers, amphibious ships, sealift vessels, and other platforms that have adequate deck space and power. W. Bush. The Navy has cited counter-drone defense as a priority following operations in the Red Sea and recent conflict with Iran.

Laser systems offer effectively unlimited magazine depth and lower per-shot costs compared with missiles such as the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile, which costs roughly $1 million per round.