The world’s first laser weapon — one that can “kill” threatening, airborne drones.
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 US has launched the world’s first laser weapon known as the Laser Weapons System (LaWS). 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. There’s a chamber inside with special materials that release photons.
The LaWS laser beam is completely silent and invisible. It’s also fast: The laser travels at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second, or about 300,000 kilometers per second), meaning it’s about 50,000 times the speed of an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile.
In addition to being able to take down threats in the air, the LaWS can hit and disable objects in the water.
