USS Preble Deploys to Japan with Laser Weapon

The US Navy has deployed the USS Preble, a 9,700-ton Arleigh Burke-class destroyer equipped with a high-energy laser weapon system, to Yokosuka, Japan, as part of its strategy to counter growing Chinese military activity in the Indo-Pacific region by 2027. The USS Preble, which departed San Diego on September 22, replaces the USS Benfold in a scheduled rotation of forces, reinforcing US commitments to Japan's defense. This destroyer is the only one in its class outfitted with the High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS), designed to intercept drones and missiles. The deployment aligns with the Navy's 2024 Navigation Plan, emphasizing readiness against potential conflicts with China and the advantages of laser weapons, which are cost-effective and sustainable compared to traditional missile systems. The USS Preble will join Destroyer Squadron 15, the principal surface force in the Seventh Fleet. This strategic move illustrates the US military's focus on maintaining naval dominance amid China's expanding capabilities.