The US Navy has successfully tested an experimental laser weapon on one of its naval bases in the Persian Gulf.

In a video released by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), a 30 kilowatt Laser Weapon System (LaWS) is shown being fired from the USS Ponce and detonating a rocket propelled grenade aboard and boat and taking a drone out in mid-air.

The laser cannon is part of a $40 million research and development project, and will remain on board the USS Ponce for 12 months as the Navy examines whether it will deploy the weapon on other ships.

The ONR plans to test significantly stronger 100 to 150 kilowatt laser cannons over the next three years.