--- title: Could Navy's Laser Cannon Replace Missiles In Surface Warfare? | TIME description: The latest toy at the U.S. Navy’s disposal will likely be the envy of every commander in the service when it deploys this summer. The futuristic laser cannon is as much about economics as protecting ships from newer, faster enemies. canonical: https://time.com/video/w9CZJjbx/ og:title: Could Navy's Laser Cannon Replace Missiles In Surface Warfare? og:description: The latest toy at the U.S. Navy’s disposal will likely be the envy of every commander in the service when it deploys this summer. 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They are at time.com/newsletters and are separate from a paid subscription. ## Video: Could Navy's Laser Cannon Replace Missiles In Surface Warfare? [Watch (HLS stream): Could Navy's Laser Cannon Replace Missiles In Surface Warfare?](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/w9CZJjbx.m3u8) (1:56)  _Published 2014-02-18. The latest toy at the U.S. Navy’s disposal will likely be the envy of every commander in the service when it deploys this summer. The futuristic laser cannon is as much about economics as protecting ships from newer, faster enemies._ --- Jul 27, 2023 4:14 PM UTC --- ## More From This Series [All Videos](https://time.com/video/) [Admiral Expected to Become Navy's Top Officer Instead Retiring After 'Poor Judgement' in Relationship](/video/wFrtegHk/) ### Admiral Expected to Become Navy's Top Officer Instead Retiring After 'Poor Judgement' in Relationship [The Navy's New Nuclear Missile Submarines Are Probably Going to Cost More Than $128 Billion](/video/lUdGBT75/) ### The Navy's New Nuclear Missile Submarines Are Probably Going to Cost More Than $128 Billion [US Navy Laser Weapon System - ZAP WARS](/video/ID7fNkc3/) ### US Navy Laser Weapon System - ZAP WARS --- ## Transcript >> The latest toy at the U. S. Navy's disposal will likely be the envy of every commander of the service when it deploys this summer. This futuristic laser cannon is as much about economics as protecting ships from newer faster enemies. >> The laser will be setup on the transport dock of the US Ponce in the Persian Gulf. A single sailor can operate the device, which can burn through targets and fry electronics. This video released in April shows the laser weapon system or laws taking down an unmanned drone. Navy officials say taking down asymmetrical threats like drones or speedboats are law's biggest strengths even though missiles can do the job too. >> Conventional weapon such as missiles and projectiles are important to ship defense, but they're expensive, limited, and require time to engage a target. >> The chief of naval research told ABC last year the navy spent $ 40 million to develop the system starting in 2007, but he also said each shot of directed energy cost less than a dollar as is usually the case with releasing news on the latest and greatest technology. Analysts say navy officials have likely moved on to think of new applications. >> Other technologies and other applications, there are new systems out there. For instance, the Chinese have a new missile out there, an anti- ship ballistic missile that's considered to be a carrier killer and maybe at some point down the road something along with lasers may be able to deal with something like that. >> But can a laser truly replace traditional weapons when it comes to surface warfare. Wire points out anti- ship missiles are way cheaper than ships and that will never change. It's by no means certain that the navy can realize the promise, but it's now fully committed to trying. The chief of naval research sounded more confident. We expect in the future a missile will not be able to simply outmaneuver a highly accurate high- energy laser beam traveling at the speed of light. Thanks for watching. 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