World's 1st Laser Weapon Is Ready to Blast Rogue Drones

space.com ^ | July 19, 2017 10:28am ET | Laura Geggel,

[BenLurkin]

The laser, known as the Laser Weapons System (LaWS), may seem as though it were pulled straight from a James Bond movie, but it's entirely functional and can shoot with stunning accuracy, the U.S. Navy told CNN. The LaWS is currently deployed aboard the USS Ponce, an amphibious transport ship, in the Persian Gulf.

"Operationally, it works just like a laser pointer," Lt. Cale Hughes, a LaWS officer, told CNN. "There's a chamber inside with special materials that release photons."

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The $40 million system requires a team of three to operate it and a small generator to power its electricity supply, according to the Navy.

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In addition to being able to take down threats in the air, the LaWS can hit and disable objects in the water.

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Under Geneva Convention rules, armed forces are not allowed to use laser weapons directly against people, reported Optics.org, a site that tracks the photonics industry. The U.S. will abide by that protocol, Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder, chief of naval research, said in 2014 at a news conference in Washington, D.C., according to Optics.org.

The U.S. Navy is already developing second-generation systems that might be able to target threats other than drones and water vessels. These missions are classified, but when asked whether the LaWS could shoot and destroy missiles, USS Ponce Capt. Christopher Wells said "maybe" and smiled, according to CNN.

[Ozark Tom]

Optical fiber laser pumped by laser diodes—all based upon commercial laser tech—except for the combiner which is a military contractor proprietary design.

http://www.janes360.com/images/assets/736/51736/The_mirage_of_laser_weapons.pdf

[Bratch]

Best bad guy Bond line ever.