The United States Navy finally revealed perhaps its most deadly laser technology weapon for the future.
Naturally and carefully not to reveal too much, the Navy named this new weapon LAWS (Laser Weapons System). It looks like a modest sized telescope but can set flames to moving targets on ground, in water or in the air.
Not to waste time, the Navy has already announced it will place this all new weapon aboard a ship in the Persian Gulf early in 2014.
In fact, the Navy revealed in a test last summer, off the coast of California, that this laser weapon set flames to a fast approaching drone sending it crashing into the Pacific.
How about its accuracy? How about 3 for 3 in shooting down drones during this test and if you count previous tests, it?s a whopping twelve out of twelve!
But news regarding this new technology only gets better. Although many of the details remain classified, we know that LAWS can be integrated with the Navy ships existing weapons. Meaning costs and time placing LAWS (Laser Weapons System) on already-built ships will be minimized.
The best of news of all could be the costs. Although the Navy has spent nearly forty million in research, it?s reported that each ?laser strike? will cost less than a single dollar! However, this may mean it will be widely affordable one day for third world countries? if and when this laser technology is popularized.
All to say, aside from having cheaper operational costs, replacing ?beams? for ?bullets? can be a positive. Instead of firing bullets warning fast approaching prospective enemy ships as they now do, the Navy ships goal will now initially be to send lasers with the intent of only ?dazzling? the unknown ships sensors. And if the fast approaching enemy ships don?t acknowledge the laser warnings, the Navy can send a stronger beam strong enough to wipe out and destroy the enemy?s ship.
The USS Ponce that patrols in the Persian Gulf will be the first Navy ship to use LAWS Laser Weapons System.
In conclusion, dazzling!
Yes, indeed dazzling. But equally dazzling if and when this technology becomes openly available for ?all? with its lower than normal operational costs.
Another word for dazzling? could be scary!
By Larry Fowler for USMilitary.com
