Last Ride of the HELIOS

Lawmakers want a containerized version of the US Navy's beleaguered chief high-energy laser weapon.

The US Navy tests its High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) laser weapon system aboard the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Preble in an undisclosed location. (DoD photo)

It cost nearly $350 million over more than a decade to develop. Its power levels have fluctuated due to unspecified “problems” during operational …