The Navy said the laser fired from the USS Ponce “locked on and destroyed the targets we designated with near-instantaneous lethality.”
A video shows the weapon hitting two targets on the water before knocking a drone out of the sky.
The LaWS system has been called "a cutting-edge weapon that brings significant new capabilities to America's Sailors and Marines."
Navy officials are thrilled the laser worked "seamlessly with existing ship defense systems,"in good weather and bad.
"Laser weapons are powerful, affordable, and will play a vital role in the future of naval combat operations," Rear Adm. Matthew L. Klunder said in a release.
"We ran this particular weapon, a prototype, through some extremely tough paces,” he added.
The Navy says LaWS beats other weapons when it comes to both targeting and speed. It's also safer for sailors to handle than traditional explosive weapons.
However, perhaps the biggest selling point comes from how much money it saves. "At less than a dollar per shot, there's no question about the value LaWS provides," Klunder added.
The Ponce has now been given clearance to use the laser as a defensive weapon.
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