ENTERING THE LASER ERA

摘要

The weapon is called High Energy Laser and Integrated Optical-dazzler with Surveillance (HELIOS), and it could be used to down drones, scramble infrared or even shoot down cruise missiles. At the very least, it could be a stepping-stone to a new generation of laser technology for the sea service. Lasers hold some obvious advantages over conventional weaponry. You don't have to store dangerous ammunition on ship, lasers are extremely accurate, and they are extremely difficult to detect — until it's too late. But laser technology has suffered from a lack of sufficient power, and the Navy's leadership hopes HELIOS will help them solve that issue.