The U.S. Navy is looking to test a laser weapon prototype this summer in the Persian Gulf.
The Navy said the technology is called Laser Weapon System (LaWS), and will be the first of its kind to be deployed, according to The Los Angeles Times.
The laser was created in order to take out small boats and flying drones. The Navy can scale down the laser's power for a non-lethal form in order to ward off threats such as pirates, smugglers and terrorists.
"This is a revolutionary capability," Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder said in a statement. "It's absolutely critical that we get this out to sea with our sailors for these trials, because this very affordable technology is going to change the way we fight and save lives."
LaWS has been tested over the past few years and has proven to effectively direct bursts of energy and hit airborne targets, CNET reported. The laser will be tested on the U.S.S Ponce in the Persian Gulf.
The Navy has been testing LaWS with current weapon systems to find out if the system would be able to feature tracking and targeting functions. The Navy release says the results were successful.
"The result is a weapon system with a single laser weapon control console, manned by a surface warfare weapons officer aboard USS Ponce who can operate all functions of the laser- and if commanded, fire the laser weapon," the release said.
The system will be controlled with a controller similar to those used for video games, CNET reported.
"Using a video game-like controller, that sailor will be able to manage the laser's power to accomplish a range of effects against a threat, from disabling to complete destruction," the release said.
Klunder said the system also costs a lot of money.
"Spending about $1 per shot of a direct-energy source that never runs out gives us an alternative to firing costly munitions at inexpensive threats," Klunder said.
The testing at the U.S.S. Ponce is coming two years early, The Los Angeles Times reported. The Navy and Pentagon officials said after testing, they will conduct more research on ways to make it more affordable for its fleet to use laser weapons.
