Overview
- Japan’s defense acquisition agency confirmed on Dec. 2 that a 100 kW fiber‑laser system was fitted to the 6,200‑ton JS Asuka in two 40‑foot domed modules.
- The weapon combines ten 10 kW beams into a single 100 kW output and is intended to defeat small drones, mortar rounds and other light airborne threats.
- ATLA identifies sea trials as the next step, with multiple reports indicating testing could begin as early as February 2026.
- Officials caution that operational use remains years off due to power generation, cooling demands and efficiency constraints in maritime environments.
- Kawasaki Heavy Industries began development in 2019 and delivered a prototype in February 2023, with current testing reported in the context of tensions with China over Taiwan following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on possible SDF deployment.