Having a blast: US Navy performs jaw-dropping LASER weapon test

By Dean Murray

The U.S. Navy has performed a jaw-dropping LASER weapon test.

Amphibious transport dock ship, USS Portland, conducted the high-energy laser weapon system demonstration while sailing in the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday, December 14.

During the demonstration, the Solid State Laser - Technology Maturation Laser Weapons System Demonstrator (LWSD) Mark 2 MOD 0 aboard Portland successfully engaged a static surface training target.

Portland previously tested the LWSD in May 2020, when it successfully disabled a small unmanned aerial system, while operating in the Pacific Ocean.

The Office of Naval Research selected Portland to host the laser weapon technology in 2018.

Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) conducts a high-energy laser weapon system demonstration on a static surface training target, Dec. 14, while sailing in the Gulf of Aden. (U.S. Naval Forces Cent Comm via SWNS)

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The LWSD is considered a next-generation follow-on to the Laser Weapon System (LaWS) that afloat forward staging base USS Ponce tested for three years while operating in the Middle East.

Portland is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group that includes amphibious assault ship USS Essex, dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor and embarked Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The units departed San Diego in August and began operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet region in September.

The region's geography, climate, and strategic importance offer a unique environment for technology innovation. U.S. 5th Fleet's area of operations includes the world's largest standing maritime partnership, Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.