Military security experts have successfully managed to stop a truck in its tracks by destroying its engine with a laser . The 30-kilowatt fibre laser called Athena burnt through the manifold in seconds , despite being fired by a team from Lockheed Martin positioned more than a mile away . The security firm said the test signifies the next step to fitting lightweight laser weapons on military aircraft , helicopters , ships and trucks . Scroll down for video . The laser , known as Athena , was built by Maryland-based security firm Lockheed Martin . During the test , the 30-kilowattfibre laser burnt through the truck ’ s engine ( pictured ) and disabled it from more a mile away . The demonstration was the first field testing of Lockheed ’ s integrated 30-kilowatt , single-mode fibre laser weapon system prototype . ‘ Fiber-optic lasers are revolutionising directed energy systems , ’ said Keoki Jackson , Lockheed Martin chief technology officer . ‘ We are investing in every component of the system - from the optics and beam control to the laser itself - to drive size , weight and power efficiencies . Athena is based on the firm ’ s Area Defense Anti-Munitions ( ADAM ) laser weapon system . In tests off the California coast in May , Adam was used to successfully disable two boats at a range of approximately one mile ( 1.6km ) . The high-energy laser burnt through multiple compartments of the rubber hull of the military-grade small boats in less than 30 seconds . Lockheed Martin previously demonstrated the system ’ s capabilities on airborne targets in flight , including small-calibre rocket targets and an unmanned aerial system target . The system can precisely track moving targets at a range of more than 3.1 miles ( 5km ) . ‘ This test represents the next step to providing lightweight and rugged laser weapon systems for military aircraft , helicopters , ships and trucks. ’ By using a technique known as spectral beam combining , the system blends multiple laser modules to create a single , powerful , high-quality beam . This is said to provide greater ‘ efficiency and lethality ’ than multiple individual 10-kilowatt lasers used in other systems . Athena is based on the firm ’ s Area Defense Anti-Munitions ( Adam ) laser weapon system . In tests off the California coast in May , Adam was used to successfully disable two boats at a range of approximately one mile ( 1.6km ) . Lockheed Martin said at the time that it developed the ground-based system ‘ to demonstrate a practical , affordable defence against short-range threats. ’ During the marine the high-energy laser burnt through multiple compartments of the rubber hull of the military-grade small boats in less than 30 seconds . Athena is based on the firm ’ s Area Defense Anti-Munitions ( Adam ) laser weapon system . In tests off the California coast in May , Adam was used to successfully disable two boats ( one shown ) at a range of one mile ( 1.6km ) . Lockheed Martin has previously demonstrated the system ’ s capabilities on airborne targets in flight . And Lockheed Martin has previously demonstrated the system ’ s capabilities on airborne targets in flight , including small-calibre rockets and an unmanned aerial system . It can precisely track moving targets at a range of more than 3.1 miles ( 5km ) . ‘ Our Adam system tests have shown that high-energy lasers are ready to begin addressing critical defense needs , ’ added Tory Bruno , president of Strategic and Missile Defense Systems , Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company . These aren ’ t the first laser systems to track and destroy targets but Lockheed Martin said its tests are significant because the lasers are smaller , use less power and are more efficient . ‘ The high-energy laser serves as the heart of a laser weapon system , ’ said Dr. Johnson . ‘ This 30-kilowatt milestone shows our commitment to producing the high beam quality and high power needed to address a variety of military ‘ speed-of-light ’ defensive operations. ’ The Adam laser prototype can precisely track moving targets at a range of more than 3.1 miles ( 5km ) . Last year 's marine tests are shown . These aren ’ t the first laser systems to track and destroy targets , but Lockheed Martin said its test are significant because the lasers are smaller , use less power and are more efficient .
Laser is called Athena and was built by the Maryland-based security firm . During the test , the 30-kilowatt fibre laser burnt through the truck 's engine . This disabled the truck from a distance of more than a mile away . Laser uses 'spectral combining ' to create a precise , powerful beam . The company says it can be used for everything from detecting explosives or weapons in an area to identifying people at large distances.