Draco Laser Weapon System
| Draco Laser Weapon System | |
|---|---|
 The Draco Laser Weapon System . | |
| Type | directed-energy weapon |
| Place of origin |  Blackhelm Confederacy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2014–present |
| Used by | Blackhelm Confederate Navy |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2010–14 |
| Manufacturer | Riverstone |
The Draco Laser Weapon System is a directed-energy weapon developed by the Blackhelm Confederate Navy.
Purpose
The Draco is a ship-defense system that uses an infrared beam from a solid-state laser array which can be tuned to high output to destroy the target or low output to warn or cripple the sensors of a target. Among the advantages of this device versus projectile weapons is the low cost per shot, as each firing of the weapon requires only the minimal cost of generating the energetic pulse; by contrast ordnance for projectile weapons must be designed, manufactured, handled, transported and maintained, and takes up storage space.
The Draco is designed to be used against low-end asymmetric threats. Scalable power levels allow it to be used on low-power to dazzle a person's eye to non-lethally make them turn away from a threatening posture, and increase to 30 thousand watts to fry sensors, burn out motors, and detonate explosive materials. Against a vital point on small UAVs, one can be shot down in as little as two seconds. When facing small boats, the laser would target a craft's motor to disable it and make it "dead in the water," then repeating this against others in rapid succession, requiring only a few seconds of firing per boat. Targeting the platform is more effective than individual crewmembers, although the system is accurate enough to target explosive rockets if on board, whose detonations could kill the operators. Against larger aircraft like helicopters, it is able to burn through some vital components, which would cause it to fall and crash.