Watch the US Navy’s laser weapon in action

Already deployed on the USS Ponce amphibious transport ship is the US Navy’s first – in fact, the world’s first – active laser weapon. Called LaWS, for Laser Weapon System, the device has demonstrated its capability to attack objects on the water and drones flying overhead.

The strikes are silent and invisible as lasers move literally at the speed of light. And the laser is extremely accurate. For example, it can target just the engine of a boat traveling over the water. This type of precision is not possible with conventional weapons, which tend to cause a lot more collateral damage.

LaWS is useful against a variety of threats, surface or air. The Navy is already developing a second-generation system which could target enemy missiles.