The US amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) has conducted a high-energy laser weapon system demonstration on December 14 while sailing in the Gulf of Aden.
According to a US Navy press release:
“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. The LWSD is considered a next-generation follow-on to the Laser Weapon System (LaWS) that afloat forward staging base USS Ponce (AFSB(I)-15) tested for three years while operating in the Middle East.”
For more information
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2873919/uss-portland-tests-high-energy-laser-weapon-system-in-gulf-of-aden/#:~:text=USS%20Portland%20Tests,the%20Indian%20Ocean.
