The US military have “redefined warfare” after the US Navy tested a groundbreaking laser weapon which destroyed an aircraft in mid-flight.
Video footage that looks like something out of a Sci-fi film shows the moment the US Navy fired the groundbreaking high energy laser from the USS Portland warship.
According to the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet the video released by the Navy shows the warship executing the “first system-level implementation of a high-energy class solid-state laser” to blow up an aerial drone aircraft.
The new weaponry system is being developed due to the “increasing number of threats” the US Navy have seen, including UAV, small armed boats, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems.
#USSPortland (LPD 27) conducts Laser Weapon System Demonstrator Test in Pacific: https://t.co/zZJglgDIcf @USNavy @USNavyResearch #NavyLethality pic.twitter.com/K8xtcEWiRz
— U.S. Pacific Fleet (@USPacificFleet) May 22, 2020
US Navy Captain Karrey Sanders, the ship’s commanding officer 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.
“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.”
Naval commanders hope their latest Laser Weapon System (LaWS) will defend the fleet from threats of drones and long-range missiles from countries like China.
A senior Naval official declared, “With this new advanced capability, we are redefining war at sea for the Navy.”
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