us navy is testing weapons that can move at the speed of light

The U.S. Navy successfully tested the world’s first laser gun system that has been designed to target drones. The Laser Weapons System gun was tested by the USS Ponce, an amphibious transport ship on a mock enemy drone.

Naval officers claim the laser moves at the speed of light, is more precise than a bullet and is expected to be used in combat by the year 2020.

The speed of LaWs is 50,000 times the speed of an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile. The new technology does not need heavy and costly missiles and is operated by electricity derived from a small generator.

Unlike other weapons, the strike in this case happens silently. As soon as the laser makes contact with a drone, the vehicle heats to a temperature of more than 1,000°F and explodes.

The U.S. Navy also claims this would reduce the collateral damage during the time of war.

The advantage of this technology is that no other country is even near to such missile.

U.S. navy officials have said that primarily, the technique would be used to destroy small boats and aircrafts. They also claimed the weapon was designed to counter bigger airborne and surface-based threats. U.S. navy officials said the weapons have proved to be effective in the last three years.

This comes while President Donald Trump looks to make the U.S. Navy stronger, having said he wants to build dozens of new warships in one of the biggest peace-time expansions of the U.S. Navy.

The initiative could cost nearly $700 billion in government funding, take 30 years to complete and require hiring tens of thousands of skilled shipyard workers.