General Atomics

EOS unveils ‘Apollo’ as the name of its HELW

Electro Optic Systems (EOS) - which in August secured the world’s first export contract for its 100 kW-class High Energy Laser Weapon (HELW) with a European NATO member state - today announced the official identity of its HELW: Apollo.



Above: Apollo firing, thermal image.
Courtesy EOS


Scalable to 150 kW, Apollo is being unveiled ahead of DSEI UK (9th-12th September 2025), where EOS will showcase its high energy laser capabilities as part of Team Defence Australia.

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

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. 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. It is designed to connect with NATO fielded command-and-control and integrated air defence systems.



Building on its longstanding heritage in laser and optical technologies, EOS has leveraged this expertise to develop Apollo – a next-generation system designed for counter-drone operations.

Dr Andreas Schwer, EOS Group CEO, said: “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. 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. Being ITAR-free and fully controlled by EOS, Apollo is ready for partners to adopt, localise and sustain as their own.”

EOS is exhibiting at DSEI UK as part of Team Defence Australia.

Related

Skybus managing director leaves with immediate effect
Jonathan Hinkles, a highly experienced airline executive with over 30 years in the industry, who has stepped down from Skybus
Skybus managing director leaves with immediate effect
The unexpected departure comes just months after the airline was at the centre of the high-profile collapse of Cornwall's subsidised London Gatwick air service.
Aerospace

2 Jul 2026

London Cranfield Airport targets more business traffic with rebrand and new partnership 
Robert Abbott, CEO of London Cranfield Airport and Nick Weston of Weston Aviation
London Cranfield Airport targets more business traffic with rebrand and new partnership 
The Bedfordshire airport has joined The Collection, a network of business aviation airports coordinated by Weston Aviation as it seeks to pivot towards more lucrative customers.
Aerospace

2 Jul 2026

EasyJet launches Gatwick-Newquay route after PSO ends
easyJet Airbus A320neo
EasyJet launches Gatwick-Newquay route after PSO ends
The first service was operated on 23 June and it will continue to link the two airports on Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the summer. 
Aerospace

2 Jul 2026

Defence Investment Plan puts UK drone delivery challenge in focus
Royal Navy Drone
Defence Investment Plan puts UK drone delivery challenge in focus
The UK's DIP allocates billions for drones, but that could be a drop in the ocean before the UK can capitalise on the drone economy.
Defence

1 Jul 2026

UK defence investment plan welcomed by industry, but MPs warn delivery details are missing
Prime Minister visits BAE
UK defence investment plan welcomed by industry, but MPs warn delivery details are missing
BAE welcomed the UK government's Defence Investment Plan as a clear signal for industry. But MPs call for more.
Defence

1 Jul 2026

ST Engineering wins UK contract to supply 40mm grenades for British Armed Forces
Grenade launcher british army
ST Engineering wins UK contract to supply 40mm grenades for British Armed Forces
The UK Ministry of Defence has selected ST Engineering to supply nine variants of 40 mm grenade ammunition under a five-year contract worth $87 million.
Defence

1 Jul 2026

BAE Systems’ Endura demos radiation-hardened capability for space missions
BAE Systems’ Endura demos radiation-hardened capability for space missions
BAE Systems has successfully demonstrated the ability of its Endura system-on-chip (Soc) space processor…
Space

29 Jun 2026

BAE Systems to build high-res imagery satellites for Vantor
BAE Systems to build high-res imagery satellites for Vantor
BAE Systems has entered into an agreement to build high-resolution imaging satellite buses for Vantor, a provider of unified spatial intelligence from space to ground.
Space

25 Jun 2026

ADS appoints Matthew Reynolds as CIO
ADS appoints Matthew Reynolds as CIO
ADS Group - parent organisation of trade association ADS and Farnborough International - has appointed Matthew Reynolds as its Chief Information Officer (CIO).
Aerospace Defence Events Security ...

19 Jun 2026

Smiths Detection completes transition to CVC Capital Partners
Smiths Detection completes transition to CVC Capital Partners
Smiths Detection completes transition to CVC Capital Partners
Smiths Detection has completed its transition from Smiths Group to CVC Capital Partners (CVC), a private markets investment firm.
Aerospace Security

1 Jul 2026

Serbus acquires Westica
Serbus acquires Westica
Serbus acquires Westica
Provider of secure Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) networking and communication solutions, Serbus, has acquired Westica Communications Limited (Westica), for an undisclosed sum.
Defence Security

30 Jun 2026

CAA warns of risks posed by incorrectly packed batteries
Pack right. Safe Flight. CAA
CAA warns of risks posed by incorrectly packed batteries
Ahead of the big summer getaway where over 60 million people are expected to…
Aerospace Security

26 Jun 2026