LaWS, an acronym for Laser Weapons System, is not science fiction. It is not experimental. It is deployed on board the USS Ponce amphibious ship, ready to be fired at targets today. "It is more precise than a bullet," according to Navy officials. LaWS is a very versatile weapon, it can be used against a variety of targets." LaWS begins with an advantage no other weapon ever invented comes even close to matching. It moves, by definition, at the speed of light. For comparison, that is 50,000 times the speed of an incoming ICBM Missile.
"It is throwing massive amounts of photons at an incoming object," said Lt. Cale Hughes, laser weapons system officer. "We don't worry about wind, we don't worry about range, we don't worry about anything else. We're able to engage the targets at the speed of light."
For a recent test, the USS Ponce crew launched a target drone aircraft, a weapon in increasing use by Iran, North Korea, China, Russia and other adversaries. Immediately, the weapons team zeroed in. "We don't have to lead a target," Hughes explained. "We're doing that engagement at the speed of light so it really is a point and shoot... we see it, we focus on it, and we can negate that target."
The strike comes silently and invisibly. "It operates in an invisible part of the electromagnetic spectrum so you don't see the beam, it doesn't make any sound, it's completely silent and it's incredibly effective at what it does," said Hughes. It is remarkably precise, which the Navy says could limit collateral damage in wartime.
All the $40 million system needs to operate is a supply of electricity, which is derived from its own small generator, and a crew of three. No multi-million-dollar missile, no ammunition at all.
The cost per use? "It's about a dollar a shot," said Hughes.
Today, the laser is intended primarily to disable or destroy aircraft and small boats. "It's designed with the intent of being able to counter airborne and surface-based threats," said Hughes. "And it's been able to prove itself over the last three years as being incredibly effective at that."
However, the Navy is developing more powerful, second-generation systems which would bring more significant targets into its crosshairs, missiles.
Those missions remain classified. However, the commander and crew are very much aware of the potential capabilities. When we asked Wells if the current LaWS could shoot down a missile, he said simply "maybe" and smiled.
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