Recently, US navy shot a flying drone using a solid-state laser weapon in the pacific ocean. The USS Portland(LPD-270), a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, deployed its Technology Maturation Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD) against an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) last week during a demonstration, the first such use of a high-energy class solid-state laser, the Navy said.
“By conducting advanced at sea tests against UAVs and small crafts, we will gain valuable information on the capabilities of the Solid State Laser Weapons System Demonstrator against potential threats,” US Navy Capt. Karrey Sanders, the ship’s commanding officer, said in a press release.
“The Solid State Laser Weapons System Demonstrator is a unique capability the Portland gets to test and operate for the Navy, while paving the way for future weapons systems, ” Sanders added.
“With this new advanced capability, we are redefining war at sea for the Navy.”
According to the Navy, such weapons are being developed and brought in use due to the increasing number of threats from UAVs and other surveillance systems.
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