U.S. Navy to Deploy Laser Weapon This Summer

The U.SNavy is set to deploy its first laser weapon this summer, and hopes to add electromagnetic rail guns to its arsenal by 2016, according to a new report.

The Laser Weapon System looks like a modern white cannon, and is set to be deployed on the USS Ponce, which will be stationed in the Middle East. It's designed to fire invisible beams of infrared energy that can burn through drones and smaller boats, all of which could threaten U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf. Rail guns will be capable of taking out larger targets, such as warships, and the U.S. Navy wants to use both weapons because they're cost-effective. Read more...