US Navy laser test

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=laser-downs-uavs<br /><br />Did anybody else catch this on slashdot today?<br /><br />Apparently we now have a 32kw laser slaved to a Phalanx close in weapon system on a Navy ship, and they shot down some UAV's with it.  Raytheon says they would mount this side by side with the existing gatling gun on the Phalanx system because the laser will be able to engage a target from a longer range.....how long of a range is classified however.<br /><br />All I can say is holy crap.<br />