A declaration by the U.S. Navy its new AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System (LaWS) aboard the USS Portland (LPD-27), a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, had again shot down aerial drones in tests moves this revolutionary weapon closer to operational deployment by 2021.
One of the laser weapons system demonstrator (LWSD) tests conducted somewhere in the Pacific on May 16 saw the Portland execute the first system-level implementation of a high-energy, solid-state laser. The Navy said the hit disabled an aerial drone.
It said its development of DEWs or directed-energy weapons like LaWS provide immediate combat benefits and provide warship commanders with more response options other than using conventional high-explosive ammunition. LaWS, which has an output of 60 kilowatts, is designed for combat against low-end asymmetric threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or aerial drones) or small boats.
"By conducting advanced at sea tests against UAVs and small craft, 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, USS Portland. "With this new advanced capability, we are redefining war at sea for the Navy."
The AN/SEQ-3 LaWS is a ship-defense system that has shot down UAVs and disabled robot small-boat attackers. It uses an infrared beam from a solid-state laser array, whose high output can destroy a target. The laser's low output can cripple the sensors of a target. The laser was installed on the USS Portland in late 2018.
A prototype LaWS was deployed in 2014 for sea trials aboard the USS Ponce (AFSB(I)-15), an Austin-class amphibious transport dock, decommissioned in October 2017. LaWS, a solid-state DEW, will allow the Navy to quickly and effectively neutralize UAVs, swarm boats and other threats by destroying or crippling them with an intense laser beam. On the other hand, LaWS isn't designed to destroy incoming missiles, large aircraft such as jet fighters, surface warships or submarines. This enhanced capability will be included in newer versions of LaWS, however.
In action, LaWS is aimed at targets by a warship's Phalanx CIWS radar. LaWS has an effective range of 1.6 km (one mile). Development of LaWS is advancing steadily because the weapon's "ammunition" -- an intense laser light beam -- is cheaper than conventional high-explosive rounds. It laser light beams costs only one dollar per shot. On the other hand, conventional missiles cost thousands of dollars each. LaWS' power output is estimated between 15kW to 50kW for engaging small aircraft and high-speed boats.
