The U.S. Navy is preparing to push laser weapons from experimental technology into frontline combat systems, and a proposed new class of battleships could be the catalyst that finally makes it happen.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle said the planned Trump-class battleships could serve as a “forcing function” to accelerate the Navy’s deployment of directed energy weapons across the fleet. He believes the Navy has not moved aggressively enough in adopting laser systems, but that is now changing.
Caudle added that lasers could protect ships, military bases, and other critical assets while reducing reliance on traditional missile defenses, according to Breaking Defence.
The Trump-class battleships, unveiled in December, are envisioned as heavily armed warships equipped with advanced technologies including hypersonic missiles, rail guns, and high-powered laser weapons. Their development is expected to push the Navy to overcome key technical challenges that have slowed laser adoption for years.
Laser weapons offer several major advantages over conventional weapons. They can fire at the speed of light, cost only a few dollars per shot compared to expensive missiles, and provide effectively unlimited ammunition as long as power is available. This makes them especially useful for defending against drones, missiles, and swarms of small threats.
The Navy has already begun deploying early laser systems. The destroyer USS Preble is equipped with the HELIOS laser system, which is designed to destroy drones and disable enemy sensors. Other destroyers, including USS Dewey and USS Stockdale, use the ODIN laser system to disrupt enemy surveillance equipment.
Successful at-sea testing in 2025 demonstrated that these laser systems are moving beyond prototypes and into operational use. Navy officials now want to scale up deployment across many more ships.
To support this transition, the Navy is developing a comprehensive directed energy strategy. This plan focuses on solving engineering challenges such as power generation, heat management, and integration with ship systems. Laser weapons require large amounts of electricity and advanced cooling systems, making them easier to deploy on large ships like battleships.
Military planners see lasers as essential for future warfare, especially as threats from drones and hypersonic weapons increase. Traditional missile defenses are expensive and limited, while lasers offer a sustainable and scalable alternative.
The Trump-class battleships could play a central role in making laser weapons standard equipment rather than experimental add-ons. By integrating lasers as a core combat system, these ships may accelerate adoption across the entire fleet.
If successful, the Navy’s vision could lead to a future where laser weapons are deployed on nearly every major warship, fundamentally changing naval warfare and defense strategy.
