US Navy's laser weapon HELIOS gains attention with viral photo from USS Preble

A photo of the US Navy's HELIOS laser weapon firing from the USS Preble has gained attention online. The image, from a report by the US Center for Countermeasures, showcases the weapon's capabilities against drones. HELIOS, developed by Lockheed Martin, features a 60-kilowatt laser that can destroy or disrupt targets at the speed of light. This test follows the UK's successful trial of its own laser weapon, DragonFire, last year. Other countries, including South Korea and Israel, are also advancing laser weapon technology. South Korea plans to mass-produce laser systems for drone defense, while the UK aims to use DragonFire for precise air defense.