Silent, invisible and precise -- the new Compact Laser Weapons System (CLaWS) is a directed energy weapon approved by the Pentagon for use by combat personnel.The CLaWS is a Boeing built directed energy gun that tracks and destroys mortar rounds and drones. The laser is powered by a vehicle's or vessel's diesel engine or separate on-board power generation system.

"Getting the Marines trained, and getting the systems ready to deploy took about one year," said Lt. Col. Ho Lee, a product manager at Program Executive Office Land Systems.

The Pentagon believes directed energy weapons are much more effective and have tremendous costs savings per round than a conventional missile. The Marines could spend tens of thousands of dollars per missile to eliminate a civilian drone, that might cost less than five hundred dollars.