U.S. Navy Destroyer Deploys ODIN Laser Directed-Energy Weapon System During Operation Epic Fury

 On 28 February 2026, footage and photographs released by US Central Command (CENTCOM) from Operation Epic Fury showed a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer launching RGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles toward targets in Iran. Close examination of CENTCOM’s imagery indicates that one of the destroyers in the carrier-led task group is fitted with the Optical Dazzling Interdictor, Navy (ODIN) soft-kill laser system. This visual evidence connects a major real-world strike campaign against Iran with one of the US Navy’s newest directed-energy capabilities, highlighting how rapidly such systems are moving from trials into operational deployments. CENTCOM’s footage, offers a rare public glimpse of a shipborne laser integrated into the US layered air and missile defense and C4ISR architecture at a moment of heightened regional tension. Read Full Defense News At This Link.

Imagery released by United States Central Command shows an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer launching RGM-109 Tomahawk missiles at Iran during Operation Epic Fury, alongside additional photos of the ODIN laser during 2020 testing at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren and operationally deployed aboard the USS Stockdale, illustrating the system’s transition from evaluation to frontline service (Picture Source: USN / U.S. CENTCOM/ Edited by Army Recognition Group)