The Navy’s latest laser gun has been operational for some time, but a newly released video shows how it works. The footage shows the laser weapon system targeting and taking out a speed boat at long range. Moments after being hit, the vessel breaks into flames.
The Navy has been testing its latest laser gun for some time and a newly released video shows how remarkably well it works.
The footage shows the laser weapon system targeting and taking out a speed boat at long range. Moments after being hit, the vessel breaks into flames.
The Navy’s chief of naval research, Rear Admiral Matthew Klunder commented “It’s almost like a Hubble telescope at sea. Literally, we’re able to get that kind of power and magnification.”
This past summer, the laser gun, known as LaWS was installed on the USS Ponce and deployed months later in the fall.
The 30-kilowatt gun not only performs impressively, but it’s a cost-effective system. The military pays about 59 cents for each shot that is fired from it; a price that is far less than other ammunition often used.
Shots of varying lengths can be fired, as the weapon is adjustable. Generators are installed aboard the vessel to provide power to the laser gun and help it cool when needed.
Plans to design and install larger laser weapons between 100 and 150 kilowatts are already underway.
