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Silent Weapon for Precision Strikes: France Tests HELMA-LP Laser Rifle for Its Special Forces.
At the SOFINS 2025 exhibition, dedicated to French special forces and held near Bordeaux, the French company CILAS unveiled a prototype of a laser rifle called HELMA-LP. This man-portable system, designed for discreet and targeted neutralization missions, marks a new phase in the development of directed energy weapons. While its appearance may evoke futuristic weapons seen in science fiction films, the HELMA-LP is a functional system developed to meet the specific operational needs of special forces in complex and demanding environments.
The HELMA-LP system includes a laser rifle inspired by the AR-15 platform, connected via two cables to a 15 kg backpack containing rechargeable batteries (Picture source: Army Recognition)
Derived from the HELMA-P system, a more powerful laser already tested by the French Navy and deployed to protect Paris from the threat of small drones during the 2024 Olympic Games, the HELMA-LP has been engineered for tactical portability and deployment close to the field of operation. The full system includes a laser rifle inspired by the AR-15 platform, connected via two cables to a 15 kg backpack containing rechargeable batteries. Although the technical specifications of the batteries have not been disclosed, CILAS states that they allow for multiple shots without recharging and provide sufficient operational endurance. The laser can operate continuously for up to 60 seconds, with a typical engagement time ranging from 5 to 15 seconds—enough to neutralize a target through prolonged exposure to the beam.
Unlike traditional laser systems mainly aimed at countering drones in flight, the HELMA-LP is intended for more specific applications. It is not designed to destroy moving aerial targets but to discreetly neutralize ground-based equipment such as camouflage tarpaulins, electronic sensors, computers, surveillance cameras, radios, and optronic systems like sights or gyrostabilized turrets. The laser effect ranges from temporary blinding to the destruction of electronic components through heat. Its silent and invisible nature introduces a significant element of surprise on the battlefield, with psychological effects on adversaries who are unable to detect the source of the attack.
This stealth aspect makes the system particularly suited to special operations, where discretion, precision, and swift action are critical. The weapon could also potentially be used to detonate mines remotely or disable critical elements of enemy infrastructure without relying on conventional ammunition. The operational context requires relative proximity to the target, distinguishing the HELMA-LP from most existing directed energy systems, which are generally designed for long-range engagements.
The system is operable within a temperature range from -20°C to +35°C and is easily air-transportable. In addition to ground-based applications, CILAS has reportedly been approached by manufacturers of remote-controlled weapon stations (RCWS) interested in integrating the HELMA-LP into robotic platforms. Such integration could expand the system’s potential uses, making it compatible with remote or autonomous systems deployed on vehicles or ground drones.
Derived from the HELMA-P system, a more powerful laser already been tested by the French Navy and deployed to protect Paris from the threat of small drones during the 2024 Olympic Games (Picture source: Army Recognition)
Although the HELMA-LP is not specifically designed for drone countermeasures like the HELMA-P, demonstrations and tests conducted on commercial drones such as the DJI Mavic have shown that even a low-power laser beam can damage or blind sensitive optical sensors or melt plastic camera lenses. A similar effect was observed with the Turkish Gökberk system developed by Aselsan, where short exposure to a laser beam effectively neutralized lightweight drones without requiring high-energy output.
The deployment of laser weapons such as the HELMA-LP is part of a broader global trend toward the advancement of directed energy technologies, driven by the growing need to rapidly and discreetly neutralize increasingly diverse threats—including drones, sensors, and electronic systems. The United States, a pioneer in this field, has integrated systems like DE M-SHORAD and HEL (High Energy Laser) aboard armored vehicles and naval platforms, while China, Russia, Israel, Germany, and Turkey have also made significant investments in laser weapon development across land, sea, and air domains. This technological race reflects a strategic intent to acquire cost-effective defensive tools that reduce reliance on conventional ammunition while enabling silent, instantaneous, and hard-to-trace engagement capabilities.
From an industrial standpoint, such systems also serve as innovative platforms for defense companies seeking to diversify their portfolios in response to the evolving threat landscape. Groups like Lockheed Martin, Rheinmetall, Aselsan, Raytheon, Norinco, and CILAS in France are multiplying demonstrator programs to meet specific military needs such as site protection, drone neutralization, and special forces support. The development of these technologies hinges not only on the mastery of compact and durable laser sources but also on the ability to store and deliver energy efficiently. As such, directed energy weapons represent a key domain for dual-use innovation in both defense and civilian sectors, particularly in areas like battery systems and optical engineering.