Navy Deploying Laser Weapon Prototype Near Iran -- New York Times
WASHINGTON — The Navy is going to sea for the first time with a laser attack weapon that has been shown in tests to disable patrol boats and blind or destroy surveillance drones.
A prototype shipboard laser will be deployed on a converted amphibious transport and docking ship in the Persian Gulf, where Iranian fast-attack boats have harassed American warships and where the government in Tehran is building remotely piloted aircraft carrying surveillance pods and, someday potentially, rockets.
The laser will not be operational until next year, but the announcement on Monday by Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, the chief of naval operations, seemed meant as a warning to Iran not to step up activity in the gulf in the next few months if tensions increase because of sanctions and the impasse in negotiations over the Iranian nuclear program. The Navy released video and still images of the laser weapon burning through a drone during a test firing.
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More News On The U.S. Navy's Laser Program
U.S. Navy to field first laser weapon, could shoot down a drone -- Reuters
Navy to send laser weapon to Persian Gulf -- UPI
Watch Navy’s New Laser Cannon, Mounted on a Ship, Kill a Drone -- Danger Room
The future is now: Navy to deploys lasers on ships in 2014 -- FOX News
Navy unveils powerful ship-mounted laser weapon -- NBC
Navy's New Laser Weapon Blasts Bad Guys From Air, Sea -- ABC News
Navy to deploy laser to destroy drones, small boats -- CNN
U.S. Will Deploy Solid-State Laser Weapon On Ship Headed To Persian Gulf -- NPR
United States Navy to send prototype laser-gun on USS Ponce warship to Persian Gulf -- The Australian
If it's good enough for Buck Rogers: U.S Navy will deploy laser weapons on boats by 2014 as video shows it destroying drone in seconds -- Daily Mail
Navy Will Send Prototype Laser Weapon To Persian Gulf: Adm. Greenert (VIDEO) -- Aol Defense
US to deploy new laser weapon to Persian Gulf -- RT
U.S. Navy sees shipboard laser weapon coming soon -- CNet News
Laser technology on board amphibious transport dock Ponce -- Examiner
Shipboard lasers pass early tests, but work remains -- Navy Times