Military analysts believe these capabilities are being employed in Operation Epic Fury, a campaign that began on 28 February. One of the most closely monitored developments is the suspected deployment of a ship-mounted laser weapon aboard a US Navy destroyer operating off the Middle Eastern coast.
Videos released by US Central Command appear to show a vessel equipped with the High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system. This steerable laser can focus intense energy on aerial targets, allowing it to disable drones and other threats within seconds.
