The US Navy has tested an experimental laser weapon on one of its naval bases in the Persian Gulf.
The 30 kilowatt Laser Weapon System (LaWS) was installed aboard USS Ponce this summer as part of a $40 million research and development project.
The video, released by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), shows the LaWS system detonating a rocket propelled grenade and burning out the engine of a rigid hull inflatable boat.
In addition to its offensive power, the LaWS can work as a surveillance tool due to its powerful optics that can detect objects at 'tactically significant ranges', said ONR spokesman Matthew Klunder.
Laser weapons system burns out the hull of an inflatable boat - ONR
The Navy plans to keep LaWS onboard Ponce for a year and is examining deployments on other ships.
ONR's next step for laser weapons will be a 100 to 150 kilowatt version it plans to test in 2016 or 2017.
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, December 11, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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