This isn’t the first time lasers have been used for military purposes. China is known to use mounted laser dazzlers, while the Army has also tested anti-drone and missile lasers.
The U.S. Navy is set to begin land-based testing of a “a high-energy laser weapon” later this year, continuing a trend towards lasers being used by the branch.
According to USNI News, the Navy is working on its fourth and fifth dazzler systems, while also proceeding with testing on the high-energy laser weapon. Also in the works is the Optical Dazzling Interdictor (ODIN), described by USNI News as “a nonlethal weapon that can confuse instead of shoot down drones.”
