The U.S. Navy fielded its prototype Laser Weapon System (LaWS) in an operational environment for the first time in August. The 30-kilowatt beam weapon, installed aboard the USS Ponce, which is what is known as an interim afloat forward staging base, is currently deployed in the Persian Gulf with the U.S. 5th Fleet, having exceeded performance expectations in testing. Although the high-energy laser successfully engaged surface targets and unmanned aerial vehicles in defensive scenarios, directed energy weapons are still in their relatively early days. The laser system is a valuable addition to the U.S. Navy's already formidable arsenal, rather than an eventual replacement for kinetic weapons such as cannons and missiles. Moreover, the technology itself is still maturing and is unlikely to be widely fielded for some time. Lasers have proven their worth in the realm of defense for decades.