Raytheon’s High-Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) delivers fast, precise defense against rogue drones, rockets, artillery and mortars using high-energy photons to detect, track and defeat airborne threats. Designed for today’s evolving battlespace, HELWS provides operators with a reliable, effective solution that strengthens existing air defense architectures.

Proven performance

HELWS is certified for combat use and has accumulated more than 25,000 operational hours across global deployments. The system can be fielded as a standalone capability or integrated seamlessly into existing air defense systems, giving warfighters a ready-now tool to counter a wide range of airborne threats.

Versatile across multiple domains

HELWS is engineered to operate on land, in the air and at sea, providing unmatched mission flexibility. Its low size, weight and power profile enables integration on:

  • Trucks and tactical vehicles
  • Armored vehicles
  • Ships and maritime platforms
  • Airborne platforms
  • Transportable containerized standalone systems

Raytheon has completed full installation and testing on Army combat vehicles and has deployed systems worldwide for testing and operational use. With an open architecture design, HELWS can adapt to a variety of platforms and mission requirements.

Cost-effective air defense

The system is powered by electricity, enabling HELWS to fire a nearly infinite number of shots at fractions of the cost of traditional munitions. This offers operators an affordable, sustainable solution to rapidly defeat airborne threats while reducing logistical burden.

Scalable defense against modern threats

With proven field performance, broad platform compatibility and highly cost-effective operation, Raytheon’s High-Energy Laser Weapon System provides warfighters a decisive edge against modern airborne threats.

15 kilowatt-class palletized laser on the move in a commercial pick-up truck
The U.S. Air Force’s new palletized laser weapon is the first 10 kilowatt-class laser built to U.S. military specifications in a stand-alone configuration. It can be moved and mounted anywhere it’s needed for counter-drone missions. Known as “H4,” it is the fourth operational laser weapon system that Raytheon has delivered to the Air Force. It is shown here on the move in a civilian pick-up truck.
10 kilowatt-class palletized laser weapon
The U.S. Air Force’s new palletized laser weapon is the first 10 kilowatt-class laser built to U.S. military specifications in a stand-alone configuration. It can be moved and mounted anywhere it’s needed for counter-drone missions. Known as “H4,” it is the fourth operational laser weapon system that Raytheon has delivered to the Air Force. It is shown here on the move in a civilian pick-up truck.
10 kilowatt-class palletized laser weapon
The U.S. Air Force’s new palletized laser weapon is the first 10 kilowatt-class laser built to U.S. military specifications in a stand-alone configuration. It can be moved and mounted anywhere it’s needed for counter-drone missions. Known as “H4,” it is the fourth operational laser weapon system that Raytheon has delivered to the Air Force. It is shown here on the move in a civilian pick-up truck.
50 kilowatt-class laser mounted on a U.S. Army Stryker vehicle
A 50 kilowatt-class laser mounted on a U.S. Army Stryker vehicle, shown during a live-fire exercise at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The combat-capable weapon system is on track for operational fielding in 2022. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army. Download Hi-res Image.
50 kilowatt-class laser mounted on a U.S. Army Stryker vehicle
A 50 kilowatt-class laser mounted on a U.S. Army Stryker vehicle, shown during a live-fire exercise at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The combat-capable weapon system is on track for operational fielding in 2022. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army.
50 kilowatt-class laser mounted on a U.S. Army Stryker vehicle
A 50 kilowatt-class laser mounted on a U.S. Army Stryker vehicle, shown during a live-fire exercise at at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. The combat-capable weapon system is on track for operational fielding in 2022. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army.