US Navy's Laser Weapon Incinerates a Drone in Mid Air
Watch how a US Military Naval ship equipped with a LaWS laser weapon-system destroys an enemy target.
The laser locks onto its target and opens 'fire'. The target explodes leaving the platform unscathed.
The laser then neatly incinerates a Scan Eagle drone, which plunges to the sea below.
"Laser weapons are powerful, affordable and will play a vital role in the future of naval combat operations," Rear Adm. Matthew L. Klunder, chief of naval research, said in a press release. "We ran this particular weapon, a prototype, through some extremely tough paces, and it locked on and destroyed the targets we designated with near-instantaneous lethality."
"At less than a dollar per shot, there's no question about the value LaWS provides," said Klunder. "With affordability a serious concern for our defense budgets, this will more effectively manage resources to ensure our Sailors and Marines are never in a fair fight."