First laser ship to be sent to Iran

The Laser Weapon System (LaWS) temporarily installed aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) in San Diego, Calif. U.S. Navy video by Office of Naval Research

THE United States navy is sending rogue states a message with plans to shoot down drones with a ship-board laser system - off the coast of Iran.

The new $32 million laser attack weapon - designed to destroy drones, disable small boats and "dazzle" high-tech sensors - is about to be deployed for the first time in an operational area.

The prototype Navy Laser Weapons System (LaWS) is being fitted to the USS Ponce, an amphibious transport and docking ship that is due to become operational this year and take up station off Iran during 2014.

While there, the laser will undergo extensive testing right under the noses of the Iranians - including shooting at target drones.

To coincide with the announcement, the US Navy released video of a successful test firing of the laser when it was used to shoot down a drone earlier this year.

The move comes at a time of increased tensions with North Korea and Iran because of their nuclear missile programs.

A prototype LaWS (Laser Weapon System) mounted on a naval vessel. Picture: US Navy

The laser is ultimately intended to be capable of shooting down missiles - though the prototype version does not yet have that capability.

The US Navy, however, says the reason it is being deployed to the Persian Gulf is because it is "the hardest environment" available for testing.

But the underlying message of its presence will be clear to Iran: The rogue state is reportedly investing heavily in a fleet of low-tech, cheap but versatile drones and speed boats to threaten shipping within the Straits of Hormuz.

Such a laser could instantly render them ineffective.

Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert said the LaWS was able to take out targets at a tiny fraction of the cost of other weapons.

A prototype LaWS (Laser Weapon System) mounted on a naval vessel. Picture: US Navy

He said the laser used about $1 worth of electricity to destroy a drone.

Radar-guided gatling guns can chew through thousands of dollars worth of ammunition, while an interceptor missile cost about $1.5 million.

However, he stressed the laser would not be able to take down larger targets - such as aircraft - until after at least another decade of development.

The laser does, however, have its drawbacks.

Testing has revealed it is disrupted by bad weather: Rain and clouds can scatter the beam, as can smoke, sand and dust.

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