In the latest news of science fiction becoming reality, the U.S. Navy announced Wednesday that its laser weapon system is ready for use.
The system, called LaWS, was previously tested on ships in the Persian Gulf and was put on display in a video this week in which it was shown using directed-energy beams to heat up and blow up oncoming threats both at sea and in the air, according to Discovery News.
The Navy designed the technology to help its vessels defend against "asymmetrical warfare" attacks by UAV drones, explosive-laden patrol boats and other small, fast-moving threats.
The LaWS system was reported by the Office of Naval Research to have performed without failure in its tests, with Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Matthew L. Klunder saying the prototype was able to lock on and destroy targets designed with "near-instantaneous lethality," CNN Tech reported.
Klunder added that the laser performed well enough for the commander of the transport vessel USS Ponce to receive authorization to use the technology for the ship.
"The captain of that ship has all of the authorities necessary if there was a threat inbound to that ship to protect our sailors and Marines (and) we would defend that ship with that laser system," Klunder said in a report from the U.S. Naval Institute.
It only takes one sailor, with help from a video game-like controller, to operate the laser weapon, CNN Tech reported. The Navy said the technology performed flawlessly in high wind, humidity and temperature, and that the laser serves as a safer and more cost-effective alternative to conventional weapons that use explosive warheads and propellants.
"At less than a dollar per shot, there's no question about the value LaWS provides," Klunder said. "With affordability a serious concern for our defense budgets, this will more effectively manage resources to ensure our sailors and Marines are never in a fair fight."
The Navy plans on deploying the laser weapon system in different forms by 2020.
