How Portland Raised the Target Bar

Introduction

USS Portland marked a significant step in the Navy’s laser-weapons programme because it moved shipboard laser testing beyond the small-boat and sensor-disruption scenarios that had characterised earlier demonstrations. Whereas USS Ponce helped prove that a naval laser could operate at sea and engage relatively simple surface threats, Portland was used to test a far more powerful laser against airborne drones and more demanding surface targets. In doing so, it helped shift the discussion from whether lasers could work aboard ships to whether they could become part of future layered defences against unmanned systems. [navy.mil+2navy.mil]navy.miluss portland conducts laser weapon system demonstrator testUSS Portland Conducts Laser Weapon System Demonstrator…22 May 2020 — Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) successfully…Published: May 2020

From Small-Boat Trials to Airborne Drones

The most visible change introduced by USS Portland was the expansion of the target set. The earlier AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System (LaWS) deployed aboard USS Ponce was generally associated with counter-small-boat missions, short-range drone engagements and optical surveillance. Its reported power level was around 30 kilowatts, sufficient for demonstrating the concept but limited in the kinds of targets it could rapidly defeat. [Popular Mechanics]popularmechanics.comThe Laser Weapon System (La WS), deployedPopular MechanicsThe Navy Just Tested Its Most Powerful Laser YetMay 27, 2020 — LWSD has an output of 150 kilowatts, making it up to five…

USS Portland carried the Solid State Laser–Technology Maturation Laser Weapons System Demonstrator (LWSD) Mk 2 Mod 0, a much more powerful system in the 150-kilowatt class. In May 2020, the ship successfully disabled an unmanned aerial vehicle during an at-sea test in the Pacific. Navy officials described the event as the first system-level implementation of a high-energy-class solid-state laser aboard a fleet ship and the first demonstration of its kind against an airborne drone target at sea. [navy.mil+2navy.mil]navy.miluss portland conducts laser weapon system demonstrator testUSS Portland Conducts Laser Weapon System Demonstrator…22 May 2020 — Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) successfully…Published: May 2020

The choice of target was important. Small boats present a relatively predictable surface threat. Unmanned aerial vehicles introduce different challenges, including target tracking, beam control against a moving object, atmospheric distortion and the need to maintain sufficient energy on a smaller, manoeuvring target. Demonstrating a successful engagement against a drone suggested that naval lasers were beginning to address the rapidly growing unmanned threat environment rather than only traditional surface harassment scenarios. [USNI News+2Military.com]news.usni.orgUSNI NewsVIDEO: USS Portland Fires Laser Weapon, Downs Drone in…Amphibious ship USS Portland (LPD-27) shot down a drone with a laser w…

What Higher-Power Testing Added

The increase in laser power was not simply a matter of destroying targets faster. Higher-energy systems require advances in power generation, thermal management and beam quality. USS Portland therefore served as a test bed for technologies that would be necessary if lasers were to become practical fleet weapons rather than isolated experiments. [militaryembedded.com+2DVIDS]militaryembedded.comLaser Weapon System Demonstrator tested by U.SNavyLWSD is a high-energy laser weapon system demonstrator developed by the Office of Naval Research and installed on Portland for an at…

The LWSD installed on Portland was approximately five times more powerful than the LaWS system associated with USS Ponce. That increase enabled testing against target categories that had previously been beyond practical reach and provided engineers with operational data about sustaining laser performance aboard a moving warship. [The Defense Post+2Popular Mechanics]thedefensepost.comus navy test fires laser weaponThe Defense PostUS Navy Test-Fires 'Most Potent' Laser Weapon SystemDec 16, 2021 — The 150-kilowatt Solid State Laser – Technology Matura…

A second milestone came in December 2021 when USS Portland, operating in the Gulf of Aden, used the same laser system to engage a static surface training target. Although the target was not a combat vessel, the test demonstrated that the system could transition between aerial and surface engagements and operate outside controlled developmental environments. The Navy publicly highlighted the event as another step in evaluating high-energy laser employment under operational conditions. [navy.mil+2navy.mil]navy.miluss portland tests high energy laser weapon system in gulf of adenUSS Portland Tests High Energy Laser Weapon System in…15 Dec 2021 — Portland previously tested the LWSD in May 2020 when it successful…Published: May 2020

Taken together, the 2020 drone engagement and the 2021 surface-target demonstration showed that the Navy was no longer testing lasers solely as niche counter-boat weapons. Instead, it was exploring their utility across multiple threat categories that increasingly dominate modern naval operations. [navy.mil+2navy.mil]navy.miluss portland tests high energy laser weapon system in gulf of adenUSS Portland Tests High Energy Laser Weapon System in…15 Dec 2021 — Portland previously tested the LWSD in May 2020 when it successful…Published: May 2020

Why the Results Still Left Integration Questions

Despite the success of the tests, USS Portland did not prove that lasers were ready to replace conventional weapons. The engagements were carefully planned demonstrations rather than examples of routine fleet employment against complex operational threats. The drone test showed that a laser could disable an airborne target, but it did not establish how the system would perform against large numbers of drones, adverse weather or fast-moving missile threats. [navy.mil]navy.miluss portland conducts laser weapon system demonstrator testUSS Portland Conducts Laser Weapon System Demonstrator…22 May 2020 — Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) successfully…Published: May 2020

Another limitation was that Portland carried a demonstrator rather than a permanently integrated fleet weapon. The LWSD programme was intended to mature technologies and gather operational data. Even though the laser was connected to ship systems and operated at sea, it remained primarily an experimental capability. [DVIDS+2militaryembedded.com]dvidshub.netuss portland conducts laser weapon system demonstrator testDVIDSUSS Portland conducts Laser Weapon System…22 May 2020 — LWSD is a high-energy laser weapon system demonstrator developed by the O…Published: May 2020

The Navy’s subsequent focus on systems such as HELIOS reflected this remaining challenge. USS Portland demonstrated that higher-power lasers could engage both drones and surface targets, but the next step required integrating directed-energy weapons into a warship’s combat system, sensors and command architecture in a way that supported routine fleet operations. In that sense, Portland raised the target bar, while later programmes sought to answer the equally important question of how those capabilities could be incorporated into everyday naval warfare. [Seapower+2Seapower]seapowermagazine.orgSeapower Northrop Grumman Laser Weapon System Completes …The 150-kilowatt LWSD is mounted on the superstructure of the Portland and isSeapowerNorthrop Grumman Laser Weapon System Completes …The 150-kilowatt LWSD is mounted on the superstructure of the Portland and is i…

Why Portland Became a Turning Point

The importance of USS Portland lies less in any single shot than in the shift it represented. USS Ponce had shown that lasers could survive and function aboard a deployed vessel. USS Portland demonstrated that a significantly more powerful laser could engage both airborne and surface targets, pushing naval directed-energy testing into the counter-drone era. By broadening the target set beyond small boats and proving the viability of a 150-kilowatt-class system at sea, Portland provided a bridge between early demonstrations and the more integrated laser capabilities that followed. [Seapower+3navy.mil+3navy.mil]navy.miluss portland conducts laser weapon system demonstrator testUSS Portland Conducts Laser Weapon System Demonstrator…22 May 2020 — Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) successfully…Published: May 2020

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Endnotes

1. Source: navy.mil
   Title: uss portland conducts laser weapon system demonstrator test
   Link: https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2283997/uss-portland-conducts-laser-weapon-system-demonstrator-test/
   Source snippet

   USS Portland Conducts Laser Weapon System Demonstrator...22 May 2020 — Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) successfully...

   Published: May 2020

2. Source: navy.mil
   Title: uss portland tests high energy laser weapon system in gulf of aden
   Link: https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/display-news/Article/2873919/uss-portland-tests-high-energy-laser-weapon-system-in-gulf-of-aden/
   Source snippet

   USS Portland Tests High Energy Laser Weapon System in...15 Dec 2021 — Portland previously tested the LWSD in May 2020 when it successful...

   Published: May 2020

3. Source: navy.mil
   Title: US S Portland Conducts Laser Weapon System Demonstrator
   Link: https://www.navy.mil/DesktopModules/ArticleCS/Print.aspx?Article=2283997&ModuleId=523&PortalId=1
   Source snippet

   USS Portland Conducts Laser Weapon System Demonstrator...May 22, 2020 — Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) successfull...

   Published: May 22, 2020

4. Source: news.usni.org
   Link: https://news.usni.org/2020/05/22/video-uss-portland-fires-laser-weapon-downs-drone-in-first-at-sea-test
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   USNI NewsVIDEO: USS Portland Fires Laser Weapon, Downs Drone in...Amphibious ship USS Portland (LPD-27) shot down a drone with a laser w...

5. Source: military.com
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   Amphibious Ship Obliterates Drone with Laser Weapon in 1st-of-its...May 26, 2020 — The amphibious transport dock ship Portland "successf...

   Published: May 26, 2020

6. Source: militaryembedded.com
   Title: Laser Weapon System Demonstrator tested by U.S
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   NavyLWSD is a high-energy laser weapon system demonstrator developed by the Office of Naval Research and installed on Portland for an at...

7. Source: navy.mil
   Title: uss portland tests high energy laser weapon system in gulf of aden
   Link: https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2873919/uss-portland-tests-high-energy-laser-weapon-system-in-gulf-of-aden/
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   USS Portland Tests High Energy Laser Weapon System in...Dec 15, 2021 — Portland previously tested the LWSD in May 2020 when it successfu...

   Published: May 2020

8. Source: navy.mil
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   Navy Conducts Historic Test of New Laser Weapon System13 Apr 2022 — The February demonstration marked the first time the US Navy used an...

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   navy.mil211214-M-HB658-1322 - U.S. Naval Forces Central CommandAmphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) conducts a high-energ...

10. Source: cusnc.navy.mil
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    navy.mil211214-N-VQ947-1041 - U.S. Naval Forces Central CommandSailors aboard Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) observ...

11. Source: cusnc.navy.mil
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    navy.mil211214-M-HB658-1063 - U.S. Naval Forces Central CommandUSS Portland Tests High Energy Laser Weapon System in Gulf of Aden... Por...

12. Source: navy.mil
    Title: uss portland conducts laser weapon system demonstrator test
    Link: https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/display-news/Article/2283997/uss-portland-conducts-laser-weapon-system-demonstrator-test/
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    USS Portland Conducts Laser Weapon System Demonstrator...22 May 2020 — Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) successfully...

    Published: May 2020

13. Source: popularmechanics.com
    Title: The Laser Weapon System (La WS), deployed
    Link: https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a32676643/[navy-laser
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    Popular MechanicsThe Navy Just Tested Its Most Powerful Laser YetMay 27, 2020 — LWSD has an output of 150 kilowatts, making it up to five...

    Published: May 27, 2020

14. Source: thedefensepost.com
    Title: us navy test fires laser weapon
    Link: https://thedefensepost.com/2021/12/16/us-navy-test-fires-laser-weapon/
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    The Defense PostUS Navy Test-Fires 'Most Potent' Laser Weapon SystemDec 16, 2021 — The 150-kilowatt Solid State Laser – Technology Matura...

15. Source: dvidshub.net
    Title: uss portland conducts laser weapon system demonstrator test
    Link: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/370671/uss-portland-conducts-laser-weapon-system-demonstrator-test
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    DVIDSUSS Portland conducts Laser Weapon System...22 May 2020 — LWSD is a high-energy laser weapon system demonstrator developed by the O...

    Published: May 2020

16. Source: seapowermagazine.org
    Link: https://seapowermagazine.org/northrop-grumman-laser-weapon-system-completes-[deployment
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    SeapowerNorthrop Grumman Laser Weapon System Completes...The 150-kilowatt LWSD is mounted on the superstructure of the Portland and is i...

17. Source: seapowermagazine.org
    Title: northrop grumman laser weapon system completes deployment on uss portland
    Link: https://seapowermagazine.org/northrop-grumman-laser-weapon-system-completes-deployment-on-uss-portland/
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    SeapowerNorthrop Grumman Laser Weapon System Completes...Apr 6, 2022 — The Laser Weapon System Demonstrator deployed on the US Navy's am...

18. Source: popularmechanics.com
    Title: Navy Revives 150-k W Laser, Giving the U.S
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    a Crucial Edge1 day ago — The U.S. Navy recently rebooted the SSL-TM, a 150-kilowatt laser weapon aboard the USS Portland. This returned...

19. Source: dvidshub.net
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    USS Portland (LPD 27) tests LWSDAmphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) successfully disabled an unmanned aerial vehicle (UA...

Additional References

1. Source: photonics.com
   Link: https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Navy-Tests-Solid-State-Laser-Weapon-in-Gulf-of/a67608

2. Source: twz.com
   Link: https://www.twz.com/43521/uss-portland-uses-its-experimental-laser-to-fry-a-floating-target-in-the-middle-east
   Source snippet

   The War ZoneUSS Portland Uses Its Experimental Laser To Fry A...Dec 15, 2021 — The amphibious warship Portland has the most powerful las...

3. Source: youtube.com
   Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrDu6k3me8U
   Source snippet

   USS Portland conducts a high-energy laser weapon system...A U.S. Navy warship operating in the gulf of aden successfully fired on a floa...

4. Source: laserwars.net
   Title: navy solid state laser technology maturation demonstrator crimson dragon
   Link: https://www.laserwars.net/p/navy-solid-state-laser-technology-maturation-demonstrator-crimson-dragon
   Source snippet

   The Navy Brought a 'One-of-a-Kind' Laser Weapon Back...30 Mar 2026 — The US Navy spend six months restoring its 150 kilowatt Solid State...

5. Source: defencereviewasia.com
   Title: video uss portland conducts laser weapon system demonstrator test
   Link: https://defencereviewasia.com/video-uss-portland-conducts-laser-weapon-system-demonstrator-test/
   Source snippet

   USS Portland conducts Laser Weapon System...27 May 2020 — LWSD is a high-energy laser weapon system demonstrator developed by the Office...

   Published: May 2020

6. Source: twz.com
   Link: https://www.twz.com/33634/the-amphibious-warship-uss-portland-has-shot-down-a-drone-with-its-new-high-power-laser
   Source snippet

   The War ZoneThe Amphibious Warship USS Portland Has Shot Down A...May 22, 2020 — Being in the 150-kilowatt class, the new laser weapon i...

   Published: May 22, 2020

7. Source: fastcompany.com
   Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/91520550/the-navy-brought-a-retired-laser-weapon-back-for-a-new-drone-fight
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   The Navy brought a retired laser weapon back for a new...Apr 3, 2026 — The SSL-TM demonstrator appears to have performed as advertised...

8. Source: maritime-executive.com
   Title: u s navy accelerates investment in laser weapons systems
   Link: https://maritime-executive.com/index.php/article/u-s-navy-accelerates-investment-in-laser-weapons-systems
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   Navy Accelerates Investment in Laser Weapons...Portland previously tested the LWSD in May 2020, when she disabled a small unmanned aircr...

   Published: May 2020

9. Source: starconcord.com.sg
   Title: u s navy accelerates investment in laser weapons systems
   Link: https://starconcord.com.sg/u-s-navy-accelerates-investment-in-laser-weapons-systems/
   Source snippet

   Navy Accelerates Investment in Laser Weapons...15 Dec 2021 — On Tuesday, the amphib USS Portland successfully tested a high-energy laser...

10. Source: gizmodo.com
    Title: u s navy tests laser weapon in middle east 1848218592
    Link: https://gizmodo.com/u-s-navy-tests-laser-weapon-in-middle-east-1848218592
    Source snippet

    Navy Tests Laser Weapon in Middle EastDec 15, 2021 — “Portland previously tested the LWSD in May 2020 when it successfully disabled a sma...

    Published: May 2020