In this U.S. Navy video, the USS Portland (LPD 27) conducts a Laser Weapon System Demonstrator Test in the Pacific Ocean off Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

#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

pic.twitter.com/jQsmR6CpqN

 U.S. Pacific Fleet (@USPacificFleet) May 22, 2020

The test aboard USS Portland - LPD 27 in the Pacific, which resulted in successfully disabling an unmanned aerial vehicle, was the first system-level implementation of a high-energy class solid-state laser.

More on the laser weapons systems test at the U.S. Navy website:

Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) successfully disabled an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a Solid State Laser - Technology Maturation Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD) MK 2 MOD 0 on May 16.

LWSD is a high-energy laser weapon system demonstrator developed by the Office of Naval Research and installed on Portland for an at-sea demonstration. LWSD's operational employment on a Pacific Fleet ship is the first system-level implementation of a high-energy class solid-state laser. The laser system was developed by Northrup Grumman, with full System and Ship Integration and Testing led by NSWC Dahlgren and Port Hueneme.

“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,” said Capt. Karrey Sanders, commanding officer of Portland.

The U.S. Navy has been developing directed-energy weapons (DEWs), to include lasers, since the 1960s.

Read the rest

https://boingboing.net/2020/05/22/watch-u-s-navy-tests-a-laser.html