The US Navy has deployed two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers equipped with the ODIN laser system in the Indian Ocean to counter drones and enemy sensors. While laser weapons are still developing, their capabilities are expected to improve over time.
The US Navy has requested fiscal 2027 funding for the Joint Laser Weapon System (JLWS), a new Army-Navy collaboration designed to counter cruise missiles as part of the Golden Dome missile defense. The system will start at 150 kilowatts with potential to scale to 300kW+, with the Navy planning nearly $95 million in FY2027 and $676 million total through 2031. The program draws on Lockheed Martin's HELIOS naval laser experience, with contracts expected by March 2027.
The US Navy conducted the first test of the Locust laser weapon system to destroy unmanned aerial vehicles from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Bush. This marks the first time a laser weapon has been installed on an aircraft carrier. The Locust system, with an estimated power of 26 kilowatts, uses special sensors including high-frequency radars and radio frequency signal detection systems for guidance. While lasers provide virtually unlimited ammunition, they can be affected by weather conditions, smoke, and dust, requiring higher power for longer distances.
