Leveraging the experience acquired with its HELMA-P laser system, tested by the French Navy and used to secure some events during the 2024 Olympics, CILAS, at SOFINS 2025 the French laser champion exhibited its HELMA-LP, the two last letters standing for Laser Portable
Although the image seen on the brochure has a futuristic look and shows the effector installed on a tripod, the prototype seen at SOFINS was quite different, as it had a rifle look, with a stock and a pistol grip that remembered those of an AR-15 platform. A central parallepipedal box contains the laser emitter, a cylindrical body at the front being the optical element that allows concentrating the laser beam onto the target. On top of the weapon system we find a full length Picatinny rail, which hosts a sniper-type sight, which was not present at the static display.
The HELMA-LP is designed to destroy static targets at distances between 300 and 500 metres. As the power is much lesser that that of the HELMA-P the shooter must maintain the system on target for a longer time, a typical engagement lasting between 5 and 15 seconds, the system being capable of a maximum 60 seconds.
The whole system is made of the rifle-type effector which is linked by two cables to the rucksack that contains the power source. This is based on batteries, no more details being currently available. EDR On-Line was told that multiple engagements can be carried out without recharging the batteries, which were defined as having “an interesting endurance.”
According to data provided the beam diameter at 500 metres distance is 20 mm.
Besides using the tripod for maximum accuracy, the shooter can decide, depending on the tactical situation, to use the backpack to stabilise the “rifle” when the tactical situation would require a low profile position. An infrared or visible marker can be used to facilitate the aiming.
CILAS lists a number of soft targets that can be neutralised by its manportable laser system; among them canvas, electronic equipment such as radios, computers, screens, etc that can be neutralised by heating and destroy electronic components, optronic systems such as cameras, sights, gimbals, which lenses can be heavily jammed, armoured glass, etc.
The HELMA-LP is air transportable, its operating temperature range ranging from -20°C to +35°C. Silent and invisible, CILAS’ “sniper laser” would definitely hit the enemy by surprise being totally silent, generating uncertainty and psychological pressure on the opponent. EDR On-Line understood that CILAS was approached by remotely controlled weapons manufacturers, who are considering installing such a weapon system on their RCWS.
Photos by P. Valpolini