Israel has invested in the Iron Beam system, which produces a high-energy laser, to complement the Iron Dome batteries used to launch interceptors to take out incoming rockets.
"Interceptors are just surface-to-air missiles that shoot down incoming weapons.
"A laser, on the other hand, gives you essentially an infinite magazine of interception opportunities, because the laser — as long as you've got electricity — will continue to recharge, continue to shoot down incoming weapons."
The Navy has the HELIOS, or High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance, installed on the U.S.S.
Watch the video to find out what the future of laser weapons holds.
Persons:
Bryan Clark, Arleigh Burke, Masao Dahlgren
Organizations:
Hudson Institute, Air Defense, U.S . Army, Navy, Missile Defense, Center for Strategic, International Studies
Locations:
Israel, Yuma, Preble, U.S