US deploys laser-equipped destroyer to Japan amid growing concerns over China’s military threat by 2027.

According to information published by Nikkei Asia on September 25, 2024, the U.S. Navy has deployed the USS Preble, a destroyer equipped with advanced laser weaponry, to Yokosuka, Japan.
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Navy's destroyer USS Preble fitted with the HELIOS laser weapon system. (Picture source: US DoD)

The deployment, which began with the ship’s departure from San Diego on Sunday, follows the release of the Navy's 2024 Navigation Plan. This blueprint outlines readiness goals, including preparing for the possibility of conflict with China by 2027.

The USS Preble is currently the only vessel in the U.S. fleet of 73 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to carry a high-energy laser system designed for defense against drones and missiles. This technology, known as Helios—developed by Lockheed Martin—features integrated optical-dazzler and surveillance capabilities. While still undergoing at-sea testing, Helios represents a step forward in shipboard defenses, potentially offering a more sustainable method for countering drone swarms and missile threats compared to conventional missile systems.

As stated by a Navy spokesperson, the USS Preble's forward deployment will allow continued testing of the Helios system. The decision to deploy comes as the Navy, under the leadership of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, focuses on readiness to counter China's growing military capabilities. Franchetti’s latest Navigation Plan emphasizes the need for U.S. forces to be prepared for a potential conflict with the People’s Republic of China by 2027.

Directed-energy weapons like Helios are anticipated to play a key role in future U.S. military operations, particularly in countering drones and anti-ship missiles. Traditional missile defense systems, while effective, are costly and unsustainable in prolonged engagements where inexpensive drones and missiles can be deployed in large numbers. A report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) highlighted the cost efficiency of laser weapons, noting that they can be fired repeatedly at minimal expense—estimated at less than $10 per shot—compared to multimillion-dollar surface-to-air missiles.

The USS Preble joins 12 other U.S. warships stationed in Yokosuka, including the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, which is expected to arrive in November. The Preble replaces the USS Benfold, which is being reassigned to Everett, Washington.

Laser systems provide a cost-effective solution for neutralizing large numbers of threats, including drones—a lesson underscored by the widespread use of drone fleets in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. Despite the promise of lasers, some remain skeptical about their operational readiness. Concerns have been expressed about the effectiveness of laser technology, particularly in adverse weather conditions such as rain or dust storms. Other forms of directed energy weapons, such as microwave systems, could provide more reliable alternatives.