Navy: New laser weapon works, ready for action

[eddo36 16]

The U.S. Navy says its new laser weapon works and it will use it if it has to.

The Office of Naval Research reported Wednesday that its laser weapons system -- dubbed LaWS -- had performed flawlessly in tests aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce in the Arabian Gulf from September to November.

"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 statement. "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."

Klunder said the laser performed so well that the commander of the Ponce is now authorized to use it in defense of the vessel, according to a report from the U.S. Naval Institute.

"The captain of that ship has all of the authorities necessary if there was a threat inbound to that ship to protect our sailors and Marines (and) we would defend that ship with that laser system," Klunder is quoted as saying in a USNI report.

The laser could be used to stop threats ranging from drones and helicopters to small patrol boats, Klunder said, according to the USNI report.

Navy video released Wednesday shows the LaWS hitting exactly those types of targets. Watching the video, you can't see any light beam as you might expect from watching science fiction movies. Instead, the targets just burn up.

The Navy says the laser weapon is safer than conventional arms that use propellants and explosive warheads, and more cost-effective.

"At less than a dollar per shot, there's no question about the value LaWS provides," Klunder said in the Navy statement. "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."

The laser also takes fewer crew members to operate. It can be fired by one sailor using a video game-like controller.

The weapon performed without failure in conditions of high wind, humidity and temperature, the Navy said.

The Navy hopes to deploy variations of the laser weapon system in the fleet by 2020.

Think it'll be practical against missile threats in real world conditions?

Edited December 11, 2014 by Eddo36

[negah 26]

It would be interesting if it can replace or complement the current CIWSs as a more cost effective and precise solution.

I doubt it can completely replace all anti missile defense systems though as it cant shoot over the horizon.

It is also interesting how it performs at foggy or rainy days or at bigger distances.

[Tonci87 163]

All of the above.

And also how long is it gonna take until all drones are covered in superreflecting coating.

[Degman 73]

All of the above.

And also how long is it gonna take until all drones are covered in superreflecting coating.

I dont think that any mirror or reflective material can deal with it, but I may be in wrong.

[eddo36 16]

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2014/12/11/vo-navy-laser-laws-system-test.u-s-navy.html

Here's the video of it zapping drones.

Edited December 11, 2014 by Eddo36