Lockheed Martin delivered to the U.S. Navy a 60+ kW-class excessive vitality laser with built-in optical-dazzler and surveillance (HELIOS), the primary tactical laser weapon system to be built-in into current ships and supply directed vitality functionality to the fleet. Built-in and scalable by design, the multi-mission HELIOS system will present tactically related laser weapon system warfighting functionality as a key factor of a layered protection structure. HELIOS is a transformational new weapon system offering a further layer of safety for the fleet with its deep journal, low-cost per kill, pace of sunshine supply and precision response.
“Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy share a typical imaginative and prescient and enthusiasm for creating and offering disruptive laser weapon methods,” mentioned Rick Cordaro, vp, Lockheed Martin Superior Product Options. “HELIOS enhances the general fight system effectiveness of the ship to discourage future threats and supply further safety for Sailors, and we perceive we should present scalable options custom-made to the Navy’s priorities. HELIOS represents a stable basis for incremental supply of strong and highly effective laser weapon system capabilities.”
Commercial
Lockheed Martin was awarded the Floor Navy Laser Weapon System (SNLWS) Increment 1, often called HELIOS, contract in January 2018 and has made regular progress on this speedy Directed Power prototype which will likely be delivered later this yr. In 2020, Lockheed Martin accomplished the Vital Design Overview and Navy Manufacturing unit Qualification Take a look at milestones, demonstrating the worth of system engineering rigor and confirmed Aegis system integration and check processes on the way in which to delivering an operationally efficient and appropriate laser weapon system that meets the Navy’s mission necessities. Throughout manufacturing facility testing in Moorestown, New Jersey, HELIOS routinely demonstrated full energy operation above 60 kW.
In early 2021, the U.S. Navy will area check the Division of Protection’s first acquisition program to supply warfighters with everlasting laser weapon system functionality. Whereas it will likely be initially built-in into an operational West Coast-based Arleigh Burke Flight IIA destroyer with the Aegis Fight System, HELIOS can also be adaptable to different ship sorts and fight methods, similar to plane carriers and big-deck amphibs with the Ship Self-Protection System (SSDS). Finishing these vital important milestones for the HELIOS staff and the U.S. Navy brings us a lot nearer to delivering the system to the Navy and offering the Fleet with the potential to counter unmanned aerial threats and quick assault boats at this time.
