As the 2020s proceed, laser weapons are rapidly evolving from a promising concept to practical battlefield weapons. However, this isn't a simple linear progression. Laser weapons are extremely complex systems that are often sent back to square one when some concept in the design proves to be no longer practical.

Each of these subsystems, which includes power units, laser generators, beam combiners, focusing units, targeting systems, and many others must all move forward and properly integrate in a form that is not only functional, but robust and reliable enough to be a practical weapon at sea, on land, in the air, and in space.