EOS unveils ‘Apollo’ High Energy Laser Weapon (HELW)

Canberra-based Electro Optic Systems (EOS), which in August secured the world’s first export contract for its 100 kW-class High Energy Laser Weapon (HELW),  has announced the official identity of its HELW: Apollo. The launch sale of this ITAR-free  Counter Uncrewed Aerial System (C-UAS) weapon was to an undisclosed European NATO member state and represented a historic milestone for both the company and the global HELW sector.

Scalable to 150 kW, Apollo was unveiled ahead of DSEI UK (9–12 September 2025), where EOS will showcase its high energy laser capabilities as part of Team Defence Australia, the company says.

“EOS has developed its high energy laser weapon to meet the urgent market need and emerging strategic requirement to defend against drone swarm attacks at an economical cost,” said Dr Andreas Schwer, EOS’s Group CEO. “There is strong international interest in high energy laser weapons, and it is increasingly clear they will play a central role in counter-drone defence.

“The demand is urgent and accelerating, which is why EOS has invested for years to bring this capability to a level of maturity,” he added. “Being ITAR-free and fully controlled by EOS, Apollo is ready for partners to adopt, localise and sustain as their own.”

UASs have become a defining feature of modern conflict, used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions, EOS continues. Their increasing numbers, fast and erratic movements and autonomy make them increasingly difficult to defeat with conventional systems.

The company says Apollo has been developed to counter these threats at the speed of light. It is designed to defeat Group 1–3 drones and to disrupt their sensors at range. With scalable power up to 150 kW, Apollo provides 360° coverage including vertical engagements, unlimited shots with external power, and more than 200 stored engagements when isolated, EOS adds. It is packaged for mobility, whether containerised or vehicle mounted.

Apollo can be fielded as a stand-alone weapon or integrated into a layered counter-drone defence alongside kinetic effectors such as EOS’ Slinger remote weapon system and missile-based defences, the company says. It is designed to connect with NATO fielded command-and-control and integrated air defence systems.