Navy unveils powerful ship-mounted laser weapon

[Drache]

The U.S. Navy announced Monday that it is preparing to deploy a new weapon that can disable a hostile boat and even destroy a surveillance drone overhead — all without dispensing any expensive ammunition.

It is the Navy's Laser Weapons System (LaWS), a laser mounted on a ship that is so strong it can ignite a drone, sending it crashing and burning to earth in mere moments.

The USS Ponce, an amphibious transport docking ship, will be the first Navy vessel to deploy with the LaWS, officials announced Monday.

The new laser will be installed on the Ponce over the next year and operational in summer 2014. The Ponce is now based in the Fifth Fleet area, which covers the Persian Gulf and the Horn of Africa.

The LaWS will initially be used to combat small boats that pose a threat to larger U.S. Navy vessels — much like the small Iranian fast boats that pester U.S. ships in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.

The Navy plans to use the laser to combat missiles and other threats from the air, to ward off threatening ships and to stop other foreign threats. Eventually the system will be able to stop an incoming missile.

While making the announcement in Maryland today, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert praised the LaWS ability to take out targets at a tiny fraction of the cost of other conventional weapons.

He claimed that the LaWS can shoot down a small drone for about $1 worth of electricity and, once the laser is operational, it should be able to replace a Gatling gun, whose rounds can cost several thousand dollars each.

A defense official also stressed that the laser will not have full capability to take down a larger target for a decade or so.

Despite speculation the laser is deploying to the Fifth Fleet to warn Iran, a U.S. military official says that the real reason it's going to that region is that it is "the hardest environment" the Navy has available to test the new system.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/08/17658147-navy-unveils-powerful-ship-mounted-laser-weapon?lite&ocid=msnhp&pos=1

[Mopar Nut]

Just in time for the new Star Wars movie. 

[JB400]

I'm not in position to call it a full bluff, but I wonder how much of this thing is a psychological weapon?  I do realize that all weapons are psychological in one way or another, but I'm one that would like to see a demonstration to see how well it actually works.

[sunfire69]

LOL...we have done this many times in the past....Our "missle shield" well we sort of have a tactical version in the Patroit system....but nothing like Regan talked about...but it scared the crap out of the Russians.....another one I remember was the B-58 Hustler...a super sonic jet that was nuclear capable....the Russians saw it and built thousands of MIG 21s just to catch it and shoot it down.....problem was the B-58s engins were so powerful if all 4 were run at full throttle it would have ripped the wings off of it....we only built a few of them...never deployed them..to problematic....but the Soviets spent billions on MIG21s...that it turns out they didn't need...oh well.....
Now this laser is pretty cool....and I bet it will work ...sort of...if it does....Iran and Russia among others are going to get their panties in a real wad.....this is supposed to be able to hit slower moving targets like boats and drones for about a buck a pop....besides we need to test it someplace.....can't use Japan again...their our friends now....

[duanesterrr]

Just install a mirror on the bottom of the drones and deflect that blast to some poor unsuspecting guys house. Easy fix maybe I could sell it to the Russians for millions? 

[hemi68charger]

Just install a mirror on the bottom of the drones and deflect that blast to some poor unsuspecting guys house. Easy fix maybe I could sell it to the Russians for millions? 

Why would you cater to the "other side"? that's so unAmerican ( albeit the entrepreneur aspect to it isn't )

[Old Moparz]

Think about the possibilities of what can go wrong if the laser misses the target & the refraction of light is redirected into the path of migratory birds. Even worse if they are a species on the endangered or protected list. Would the Navy prosecute the trigger operator if it smoked a bald eagle? Imagine the scenario if the laser rips through a large number of birds that are over a playground outside a grammar school. Flaming & smoldering birds falling at the feet of 5 & 6 year olds playing hopscotch or tag. What would the faces of these children look like as they have to witness their feathered friends on fire? These things wouldn't drop down looking like that breaded McNugget crap they like, it would make them scream & have nightmares for years.

Funding for extensive research should be set aside for this laser before we have to dose more kids with meds.   

[68X426]

That's funny. Very funny indeed.

I saw this report on CBS News. They sure had some pretty pictures of the laser burning up a drone. Looked great on video. Looked faked, but still spectacular as fakes go.

[Indygenerallee]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djZFHTa6TfA   Just replace the planet alderaan with North Korea.... 

[sunfire69]

LOL...they just have to "think" it works..... ....we can shoot them done with a missle then just "say " we did it with a laser....they might even have a clue as to the truth...lol...but they just won't know for sure...and it's the doubt we want to instill...

[duanesterrr]

Just install a mirror on the bottom of the drones and deflect that blast to some poor unsuspecting guys house. Easy fix maybe I could sell it to the Russians for millions? 

Why would you cater to the "other side"? that's so unAmerican ( albeit the entrepreneur aspect to it isn't )

I highly doubt the mirror would work and since the concept is common sense I doubt there is a dime to be made... I just think it would be funny.  Heck, it will probably be my house.  At least I will know what to tell DirecTV when the dish has been vaporized. 

[Troy]

Really?

it should be able to replace a Gatling gun, whose rounds can cost several thousand dollars each

Troy

[charger Downunder]

$1 worth of electricity to produce that much energy to bring down a drone, why aren't we using this technology in other ways.

[Troy]

$1 worth of electricity to produce that much energy to bring down a drone, why aren't we using this technology in other ways.

Because it causes cancer in everything within 500 yards?

Troy

[Brass]

Sure, they can do that - so why can't the Navy attach some frickin laser beams to sharks?

[twodko]

Back in the early 70's when I was in the Navy, we had a similar weapon. It used electrical power as well but the main fuel was.........wait for it..........Navy bean Soup!  No one in their right minds would come near the ship.

[68X426]

My cat can do some cool stuff ..... don't tell the North Koreans, it's a surprise.

[hatersaurusrex]

I'm not in position to call it a full bluff, but I wonder how much of this thing is a psychological weapon?  I do realize that all weapons are psychological in one way or another, but I'm one that would like to see a demonstration to see how well it actually works.

"Hey North Korea, juuuuust in case you really do have any missles you want to shoot our way, enjoy this picture of a giant telescope we photoshopped onto a battleship to make your efforts seem futile"

[Bob T]

The Force is strong with your cat Dan

[Old Moparz]

When I saw Pink Floyd there was extensive use of lasers & I never got cancer.

[Drache]

[68X426]

Yeah, that's the video. My cat did that.