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Navy/USMC

SWO BOSS Wants Accelerated Directed Energy Weapons

Tuesday, January 9th, 2024

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SWO BOSS Wants Accelerated Directed Energy Weapons

The Afloat Forward Staging Base (Interim) USS Ponce (ASB(I) 15) conducts an operational demonstration of the Office of Naval Research (ONR)-sponsored Laser Weapon System (LaWS) while deployed to the Persian Gulf in 2014. (Photo: U.S. Navy by John F. Williams/Released)

The commander of Naval Surface Forces wants the service to accelerate deployment of directed energy weapons on ships to defend against threats like the Navy is dealing with currently from Houthi actions in the Red Sea. Vice Adm. Brendan McLane, also known as SWO Boss, told reporters when he was captain of a ship the idea of a swarm threat to naval forces was seen as real and prepared for with specific munitions in naval guns. However, he now favors…

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