( CNN ) The U.S. Navy says its new laser weapon works and it will use it if it has to . The Office of Naval Research reported Wednesday that its laser weapons system -- dubbed LaWS -- had performed flawlessly in tests aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce in the Arabian Gulf from September to November . `` Laser weapons are powerful , affordable and will play a vital role in the future of naval combat operations , '' Rear Adm. Matthew L. Klunder , chief of naval research , said in a statement . `` We ran this particular weapon , a prototype , through some extremely tough paces , and it locked on and destroyed the targets we designated with near-instantaneous lethality . '' Klunder said the laser performed so well that the commander of the Ponce is now authorized to use it in defense of the vessel , according to a report from the U.S . Naval Institute . `` The captain of that ship has all of the authorities necessary if there was a threat inbound to that ship to protect our sailors and Marines ( and ) we would defend that ship with that laser system , '' Klunder is quoted as saying in a USNI report . The laser could be used to stop threats ranging from drones and helicopters to small patrol boats , Klunder said , according to the USNI report . Navy video released Wednesday shows the LaWS hitting exactly those types of targets . Watching the video , you ca n't see any light beam as you might expect from watching science fiction movies . Instead , the targets just burn up . The Navy says the laser weapon is safer than conventional arms that use propellants and explosive warheads , and more cost-effective . `` At less than a dollar per shot , there 's no question about the value LaWS provides , '' Klunder said in the Navy statement . `` With affordability a serious concern for our defense budgets , this will more effectively manage resources to ensure our sailors and Marines are never in a fair fight . '' The laser also takes fewer crew members to operate . It can be fired by one sailor using a video game-like controller . The weapon performed without failure in conditions of high wind , humidity and temperature , the Navy said . The Navy hopes to deploy variations of the laser weapon system in the fleet by 2020 .
Navy 's laser tested off coast in Persian Gulf from September to November . Weapon fired by Navy using video game - like controller . Laser costs less than $ 1 a ##piece .