via Bloomberg.
The U.S. Navy has deployed on a command ship in the Persian Gulf its first laser weapon capable of destroying a target.Warfare at sea is about to change.
The amphibious transport ship USS Poncehas been patrolling with a prototype 30-kilowatt-class Laser Weapon System since late August, according to officials. The laser is mounted facing the bow, and can be fired in several modes -- from a dazzling warning flash to a destructive beam -- and can set a drone or small boat on fire.
All those vaunted supersonic anti-ship missiles will be worth nothing. Suddenly, air defense against boat swarms will be simplistic. The idea that a "sea base" needs to stand off 200 miles off shore will seem foolish.
Yeah. I like what the Navy is doing.
Its amazing what happens when you build your forces to fit your doctrine, instead of fitting your forces to certain procurement objectives.
