Navy's New Laser Cannon Cost $40 Million; Electromagnetic Rail Gun Coming Soon (VIDEO)
The Navy's new laser cannon has brought U.S. military power into the realm of science fiction. The $40 million project will be used on ships later this year, and despite its seemingly high cost, officials say the alternative— firing missiles— is much more expensive.
The Navy's new laser cannon, called the Laser Weapons System, will be used to invisibly shoot aerial drones from the sky and defend against electric guns that fire projectiles at hypersonic speeds, according to the Associated Press. These "asymmetrical threats" also include speed boats and swarm boats.
"It fundamentally changes the way we fight," Capt. Mike Ziv, Naval Sea Systems Command program manager for directed energy and electric weapon systems.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The Laser Weapons System was built over six years and tested last spring by shooting down a drone mid-flight. The futuristic project will counter Middle Eastern technology and tactics for the USS Ponce, which will be in the Persian Gulf soon.
"It just so happens that the LaWS' ability to track and kill surveillance drones and swarming fast boats matches with Iran's development of surveillance drones and swarming fast-boat tactics," John F. Williams, a Navy representative told Dayton Daily News.
In addition, the LaWS can be fired continuously by just one sailor at about $1 per round, which is far more cost-effective than other armaments.
"Compare that to the hundreds of thousands of dollars it costs to fire a missile, and you can begin to see the merits of this capability," one Navy officer told The Maritime Executive.
Accompanying the LaWS is a supersonic electromagnetic railgun, which will be ready for testing in about two years, according to reports. It fires a projectile at about seven times the speed of sound for less money than what the U.S. currently uses for long-range tactics.
Both projects have weaknesses, though. The railgun uses an immense amount of electricity, which can currently only be produced by one ship, the Zumwalt, which is currently under construction. The laser doesn't use as much power, but loses capability in inclement weather.
"The Navy says it's found ways to deal with use of lasers in bad weather, but there's little doubt that the range of the weapon would be reduced by clouds, dust or precipitation," Loren Thompson, a defense analyst, told AP.
