What Is It?
The High-Energy Laser (HEL) provides naval platforms with a highly effective and affordable defense capability against many surface and air threats, future antiship cruise missiles and swarms of small boats.
How Does It Work?
HEL eliminates the maneuver advantage of the target. It is an effective complement to using expensive missiles against high-density, inexpensive targets. Other benefits of this technology include: multiple target engagement, nonexplosive magazine, counter-surveillance at sea, flexible defense of battle group, advanced maritime situational awareness and high-resolution imagery with beam director.
What Will It Accomplish?
HEL will equip U.S. ships with a high depth-of-fire delivered at the speed of light, with seconds dwell time, and a deep magazine for more powerful means of self-defense.