The Laser Weapon System (LaWS) installed aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG-105) [US Navy Photo]

U.S. Navy laser weapons

In November 2014, the U.S. Navy released photos of its Laser Weapon System (LaWS) deployed aboard the afloat forward staging base ship USS Ponce, a big step forward in the long-term goal of deploying directed energy weapons to the U.S. Navy fleet.

According to the U.S. media, the purpose of LaWS is not to vaporize enemy ships but to provide a low-cost way for the Navy to defend against drones, small boats, light aircraft, and missiles at ranges of about a mile.