The U.S. Navy successfully tested a laser weapon system that destroyed in mid-flight an unmanned aerial vehicle hit by a beam launched from the amphibious transport ship USS Portland, assigned to the Pacific Fleet.
The test took place on May 16, CNN reported Saturday, citing a statement issued by the Pacific Fleet, based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
However, the exact location of the test of the solid-state laser weapon system (LWSD) demonstrator was not specified.
The Pacific Fleet released images showing how a beam of light from the ship hits a small plane that ends in flames.
#USSPortland (LPD 27) conducts Laser Weapon System Demonstrator Test in Pacific: https://t.co/zZJglgDIcf @USNavy @USNavyResearch #NavyLethality pic.twitter.com/K8xtcEWiRz
— U.S. Pacific Fleet (@USPacificFleet) May 22, 2020