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THE U.S. NAVY JUST ENTERED THE LASER ERA 🚨 (Feb 4, 2026) The destroyer USS Preble used its HELIOS laser to kill FOUR drones in one at-sea exercise. Not a lab test. Not a demo video. A real ship. A real swarm. Why this matters: • Missiles cost $1–2M per shot • Lasers cost pennies • Unlimited magazine • Saves interceptors for real threats HELIOS is: • Integrated into Aegis • ~60 kW today (scaling to 150 kW+) • Already software-loaded on 5+ destroyers After decades of promises, directed energy just crossed the line from prototype to operational reality. Cheap drones changed naval warfare. Lasers just changed it back. 📌 Sources: The War Zone • Navy Times • Lockheed Martin • Army Recognition