HELLADS set for live fire testing against military targets
The High-Energy Liquid Laser (HELLADS) has completed the US government acceptance test procedure, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) announced on 21 May. It will now undergo live fire testing against military targets at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico.
HELLADS is a Demonstrator Laser Weapon System (DLWS) designed to demonstrate a tactical laser weapon for counter-missile, counter-air and counter-rocket, artillery and mortar applications.
The laser has been developed to create a new approach to electrically-powered lasers with sufficiently low size, weight, and power consumption to enable deployment on a number of tactical platforms.
The 150kW class HELLADS laser was developed through a series of stage/gate phases beginning with a physics demonstration and progressing through a series of laser demonstrators at increasing power levels. At each stage, DARPA required beam quality, laser power, efficiency, size, and weight objectives to be demonstrated.
Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI, said: ‘HELLADS represents a new generation of tactical weapon systems with the potential to revolutionise sovereign defences and provide a significant tactical advantage to our war-fighters.
‘It is remarkable to see high-power laser technology mature into an extremely compact weapons system and be deployed for field tests. It will be even more remarkable to witness the impact that this will have on US defence capability.’
More from Land Warfare
-
![Team LionStrike fleshes out UK Land Mobility Programme bid]()
Team LionStrike fleshes out UK Land Mobility Programme bid
At an industry press day this week, Shephard's Christopher Foss looked more closely at Team LionStrike's line-up.
-
![NATO boosts uncrewed usage and shifts on concept of operations based on lessons learned from Ukraine]()
NATO boosts uncrewed usage and shifts on concept of operations based on lessons learned from Ukraine
The war in Ukraine remains a focus of procurement, concepts of operation, tactics and training for NATO countries. The Crystal Arrow Exercise in Latvia, ongoing until 15 May, is a reflection of this.
-
![SAHA 2026: Is the Turkish Army’s Altay MBT finally ready?]()
SAHA 2026: Is the Turkish Army’s Altay MBT finally ready?
At SAHA 2026, the Altay was proudly on display. But has the platform finally overcome the problems that have left it repeatedly late?
-
![AI-enhanced combat radios: how to turn comms networks into an EW advantage]()
AI-enhanced combat radios: how to turn comms networks into an EW advantage
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming defence communications, boosting situational awareness and electronic warfare (EW) capabilities across the battlespace. Bittium’s new partnership with MarshallAI will significantly enhance networked technology, turning radios into cutting-edge sensors with a range of applications.
-
![Finding the balance between armour and air defence as UAVs proliferate]()
Finding the balance between armour and air defence as UAVs proliferate
While the growing drone threat has sharpened the focus on air defence solutions, Dr Peter Magill looks at why protected mobility remains crucial.
