U.S. Navy’s laser weapon is fully operational

Dec. 11, 2014

The U.S. Navy’s new Laser Weapons System (LaWS) is up and running aboard the USS Ponce in the Persian Gulf, according to ABC News. LaWS is a 30-kW laser system that can disable incoming aircraft or speedboats that pose a threat.

The Navy deployed the system in September for real-world testing, which continues even as it is listed as fully operational.

“The reality is, it’s ready,” said Rear Admiral Matthew Klunder, the chief of Naval Research, according to ABC. “It looks like it’s part of the ship, and it is part of the ship.”

A sailor using a controller similar to those found on gaming systems operates LaWS. ABC quotes Rear Admiral Bryant Fuller, deputy commander of ship design at Naval Sea Systems Command, as saying, “This is a very user-friendly way to operate it. It’s efficient and of course the sailors coming up are well-versed at it, so they’re good at it and it’s pretty easy for them to pick up.”

ABC News has a video of the system in action.

About the Author

Rick Nelson

Contributing Editor

Rick Nelson is a technical journalist who has served as executive editor of Test & Measurement World, chief editor of EDN, and executive editor of EE-Evaluation Engineering. He has also contributed to publications including Vision Systems Design and Electronic Design, and he has participated in many live panel discussions and webcasts. Rick has also held systems-engineering and product-development positions at General Electric and Litton Industries. He received his B.S.E.E. degree from The Pennsylvania State University.