The USS Preble test-fires a laser weapon in this undated photo featured in an annual report recently released by the U.S. Center for Countermeasures. (U.S. Center for Countermeasures)
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. (Tribune News Service) — A new photo from the United States military shows the successful use of a laser weapon made to destroy drones.
The U.S. Center for Countermeasures’ released the photo of the USS Preble using the laser weapon, referred to as “HELIOS” in its annual report.
In the report, the U.S. Center for Countermeasures notes the action for using the laser was for the “evaluation of aircraft-based countermeasures, evaluation of counter-unmanned aircraft systems and development and evaluation of directed energy weapons” among other research initiatives.
“The Navy’s demonstration on USS Preble (DDG 88) to verify and validate the functionality, performance, and capability of the HEL with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance system against an unmanned aerial vehicle target,” the report reads. “The U.S. Center for Counter Measures collected imagery of the engagements to support the evaluation of system performance.”
The USS Preble is the only U.S. military destroyer armed with a high energy laser, according to a report from Newsweek. And there’s no clear date and time as to when the picture of the laser in action was taken. The annual report said it took place within the fiscal year of 2024, and Newsweek points out that was Sept. 30. “a few days after the USS Preble left San Diego for Yokosuka, Japan.”
“The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Preble arrived at its forward-deployed location of Yokosuka, Japan, to join Commander, Destroyer Squadron Oct. 12, 2024,” a press release from the U.S. Navy reads. “The ship is named in honor of Commodore Edward Preble, who served in the American Revolutionary War and was one of the early leaders of the Navy. USS Preble is the 38th destroyer of her class.”
The U.K. tested a high powered laser weapon last year on aerial targets, according to a report from the New York Post.
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