U.S. Navy laser takes down drone

This just released video shows the Laser Weapon System (LaWS) that was temporarily installed aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) in San Diego, Calif., taking down a drone.

It was built by the Naval Sea Systems Command from commercial fiber solid state lasers, utilizing combination methods developed at the Naval Research Laboratory. LaWS can be directed onto targets from the radar track obtained from a MK 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapon system or other targeting source.



This capability provides Navy ships a method for Sailors to easily defeat small boat threats and aerial targets without using bullets. (U.S. Navy video by Office of Naval Research Released)"

Pretty wild stuff, I guess now that we almost have ionic-wind drones we need something to shoot them down with in the future, a means to an end perhaps?