The real fun begins when the solid state electrical lasers hit the 100KW+ level with the requsite cooling to go with it. They have a free electron laser down to a length of <20' and approaching 100KW of power. Deploying one of these on a ship gives a battle group some serious fleet defense against ASM. I saw some reporting stating that the F-35 had the electrical generating power to support a solid state laser once the cooling issues are resolved.
Yeah, this is only the beginning. The video of the shootdown is like something out of Buck Rogers. Gives me goosebumps and raises the hair on the back of my neck. If development is allowed to continue on HEL, directed energy weapons will become commonplace. Interesting times.