US Navy laser cannon shoots down drone during testing
A 'revolutionary' laser cannon which can destroy drones and disable vessels has been unveiled by the US Navy.
The prototype Laser Weapon System (LaWS) is believed to have cost up to $32million (£21m) to make, although it costs a mere 66p to fire.
"The future is here," said Peter Morrison of the Office of Naval Research. "The solid-state laser is a big step forward to revolutionising modern warfare with directed energy, just as gunpowder did in the era of knives and swords."
The US Navy yesterday released a video of LaWS being used to shoot down a drone off the coast of San Diego, California.
The system is expected to be installed permanently on USS Ponce within the year.
