The laser weapon was placed on the USS Ponce in September. This ship is stationed in the Persian Gulf and the laser is being tested in many situations to determine its ability to shoot down real targets in the air or on the sea.
The USS Ponce is an active ship and the laser is now a part of its armament. The ship is authorized to use it as a weapon when needed.
The laser has been tested for its ability to shoot aircraft, drones, and ships, as well as its effectiveness against boat swarms. The laser is variable in power and can be used to provide a warning, or be used to destroy the vessel or aircraft.
In one demonstration, the laser totally disabled a Scan Eagle UAV in just two seconds. In that time, it fried the electronic circuits of the drone and it crashed into the sea.
The company that made this laser weapon is developing lasers that are 100 to 150 kilowatts in power. They are expected to be ready sometime in 2016.
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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/see-navys-futuristic-laser-weapon-action-232350984.html
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Graphics: Mine
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Keywords: Navy, laser, Ponce, LaWS, drone, Persian Gulf, testing