US Navy has First Laser Gun

The laser gun can blow up drones and also boats

US Navy has stepped up the game with the equipment they possess now. The latest addition to the arsenal is a laser gun on sophisticated warship. This system was deployed the end of the summer this year for testing, which will last one year. In the Persian Gulf, where the system is currently deployed, the performance of the Laser Weapon System (LaWS) is way above the expectations.

LaWS optics; source: gizmag.com

The LaWS cost approximately 33 million Euros ($40 million). In the video below, you can see 30-kilowatt laser how it has taken down small aerial drone in just two seconds.

The way LaWS works is by focusing beams from six solid-state welding lasers into one strong single beam. This beam can be used as a blinding warning shot or a weapon which is capable of setting fire to the enemy ship or any other threats, especially small targets moving very fast.

Rear Admiral Matthew Klunder, head of the Office of Naval Research said:

“This is the first time in recorded history that a directed energy weapons system has ever deployed on anything. We are not testing it anymore. This isn’t something we’ve got in a box we’re saving it for a special moment. They are using it every single day.” 

US Navy laser gun

One of the huge advantages this technology has it is the efficiency with which it operates. One shot cost less than 1 Euro ($1). However, the lasers have their own anomalies – the efficiency depends on weather conditions, presence of dust and vapors in the air and other factors but the range, which is limited by all these factors, is classified.

[sc:ad-text]

Meanwhile US Army is developing a more powerful laser system which would be somewhere between 100-150 kilowatt laser system which could possibly destroy more advanced anti-ship missile technology. If the process will go smoothly, it is expected, that this laser system will be available for deployment in 2017.

Source:rt.com

[sc:end t=”US Navy has First Laser Gun”]