Laser gun is deployed and operational on U.S. Navy warship

After several years of research and testing, the U.S. Navy has introduced a new laser gun designed to protect ships without using ammunition.

Another entry on our timeline is now a reality as the U.S. Navy has authorised the first operational use of a laser weapon. This new hi-tech system – known as the Laser Weapon System (LaWS) – is designed to serve as a form of defence against drones and other small flying vehicles or small-boat enemies including suicide attackers. It is highly accurate, able to hit objects moving at up to 300 mph (480 km/h).

The LaWS fires a solid-state infrared beam with two modes: high output to destroy a target, and low output for optical "dazzling", warning shots or to cripple a potential attacker. Among the advantages of this device versus projectile weapons is the low cost per shot, as each firing of the weapon requires only minimal cost for generating the energetic pulse; by contrast ordnance for projectile weapons must be designed, manufactured, handled, transported and maintained and requires storage space. It also works flawlessly in adverse weather conditions of high winds, heat and humidity.

Following years of testing prototypes, the LaWS was deployed on the U.S.S. Ponce located in the Persian Gulf in August 2014. This week, the U.S. Navy released video footage of the first operational demonstrations, which took place from September to November 2014. It has now been approved for operational use and is expected to be fitted on many more ships in the coming years. A more powerful version in the future will be capable of tracking and destroying anti-ship missiles.

"Laser weapons are powerful, affordable and will play a vital role in the future of naval combat operations," says Rear Admiral Matthew Klunder in a press release. "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."

“At less than a dollar per shot, there's no question about the value LaWS provides. With affordability a serious concern for our defence budgets, this will more effectively manage resources.”