USN secretary underscores combat system and directed energy weapons developments

USS
Portland
has been outfitted with a Laser Weapon System Demonstrator.
(US Navy)

US Navy (USN) Secretary Carlos Del Toro highlighted milestones and development of surface ship combat systems equipment and directed energy weapons on 7 March during the 2024 McAleese Defense Programs Conference.

“We are pushing the bounds of tactics and capability with the future [landing transport dock] USS Richard M McCoolJr (LPD 29),” Del Toro said. “Earlier this year, she was fitted with the Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR) antenna, marking the first US Navy installation and activation of the SPY-6(V)2, rotating variant S-band radar.”

Del Toro added, “The EASR will integrate into the ship self-defence system and revolutionise our amphibious fleet, enabling them to detect, track, and engage the enemy.”

He also said, “Our amphibious ships play a crucial role in testing and validating our newest directed energy weapons technology, including the Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD). USS Portland (LPD 27) was fitted with LWSD and successfully engaged a marine target in the Gulf of Aden.”