CNN Witnesses U.S. Navy's Drone-Killing Laser
SOARES: It's been described as more precise that a bullet and costs only a dollar a shot.</s>VAUSE: The U.S. Navy's active laser weapon is a silent killer. CNN's Jim Sciutto was granted exclusive access to a live-fire test.</s>JIM SCIUTTI, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the sometimes-hostile waters of the Persian Gulf, loom the U.S. Navy's first, in fact, the world's first active laser weapon. The LAWS, an acronym for Laser Weapon System, is not science fiction, not experimental. It is deployed on board the "USS Ponce" amphibious transport ship, to be fired at targets today and every day by Captain Christopher Wells and his crew. CNN was granted exclusive access to a live-fire test of the laser.</s>CAPT. CHRISTOPHER WELLS, U.S. NAVY COMMANDER, USS PONCE: It's more precise than a bullet. It's not a weapon system like some other weapons throughout the military where it's only good against air contacts or it's only good against surface targets, where it's only good against ground-based targets. In this case, it's a very emotional weapon. It can be used against a variety of targets.</s>SCIUTTO: LAWS begins with an advantage no other weapon ever invented comes even close to matching. It moves, by definition, at the speed of light. For comparison, that is 50,000 times the speed of an incoming ICBM. LT. CARL (ph)</s>HUGHES, LAWS WEAPONS SYSTEM OFFICER: Destroying massive amounts of protons at an incoming object. We do not worry about winds or rains or anything else.</s>SCIUTTO: CNN witnessed that speed and power firsthand. First, the "Ponce" crew launches a target, an incoming drone aircraft, the weapon in increasing use by Iran, North Korea, China, Russia and other adversaries. Immediately, the weapons team zeros in on its target.</s>HUGHES: We don't have to lead a target. We're doing that engagement at the speed of light, so it really is a point-and-shoot. We see it, we focus on it, and we can negate that target.</s>SCIUTTO: Then, in an instant, the drone's wing lights up, heated to a temperature of thousands of degrees, lethally damaging the aircraft and sending it hurtling down to the sea. All this from a silent and invisible killer.</s>HUGHES: It operates an invisible part of the electromagnetic spectrum. You don't see the beam. It does not make any sound. It is completely silent. And it's incredibly effective at what it does.</s>SCIUTTO: It is remarkably precise, minimizing collateral damage. And all the $40 million system needs to operate is a supply of electricity and a crew of three. No multimillion-dollar missile. No ammunition at all. Cost per use?</s>HUGHES: It is about a dollar a shot.</s>SCIUTTO: Today, the laser is intended primarily to disable or destroy aircraft and small boats.</s>WELLS: It's designed with the intent of being able to counter airborne and service-based threats. And it's been able to prove itself over the last three years as being incredibly effective at that.</s>SCIUTTO: However, the Navy is already developing more powerful second-generation systems, which would bring more significant targets into its crosshairs -- missiles. Those visions remain classified. However, commander and crew are already very much aware of the potential capabilities.</s>UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Could it shoot down a missile?</s>WELLS: Well, I don't know. Maybe.</s>SCIUTTO (on camera): The U.S. is certainly not the only country working with laser weapons. Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and others, doing the same. And to be clear, not just with the intention of striking targets down here on earth, ships and aircraft, possibility of missiles, but also targets even as far away as in space. Jim Sciutto, CNN, Washington.</s>SOARES: Now, they've overcome war and U.S. bureaucracy, and now they're hoping to take home the big prize. The Afghanistan girls robotics team is in the U.S. capitol competing in an international robotics competition. It's an event designed to encourage young people to pursue careers in math and science. The team of six were rejected for U.S. visas twice before U.S. President Donald Trump intervened at the last minute.</s>VAUSE: An activist is cheering on the girls, tweeted out her support, saying, "So proud of #girlsinstem." The team will play three more matches on Tuesday. And we wish them well.</s>SOARES: Very much so. Coming up, it's receiving Oscar buzz even before it had been released.</s>VAUSE: We'll speak to a film critic about the new World War II epic. It's called "Dunkirk." It's epic.