Just in case we needed another reminder that the future is indeed now, Lockheed Martin has given us one. In a development equal parts exciting and disturbing, the defense giant announced last week that its new prototype laser weapon had destroyed the engine of a small truck within seconds, from over a mile away.

Impressively, the laser burned through the truck’s engine manifold without damaging the rest of the truck, illustrating the potential for high-precision weapons of this type to protect both military forces and critical infrastructure.

“This test represents the next step to providing lightweight and rugged laser weapon systems for military aircraft, helicopters, ships and trucks,” said Keoki Jackson, Lockheed Martin chief technology officer, in a news release.

Lockheed is calling the ground-based laser prototype system, ATHENA, for Advanced Test High Energy Asset. ATHENA employs a technique called spectral beam combining, in which multiple fiber laser modules form a single, powerful, high-quality beam. This integrated 30-kilowatt, single-mode fiber laser beam increases both the efficiency and lethality of the system, compared to multiple individual 10-kilowatt lasers used in other systems.

This new laser weapon is the product of years of research and development. Indeed, defense contractors have been searching for the holy grail of an effective laser weapon for years. According to CNET, as early as 2008 Lockheed’s competitor, Boeing, tested its Advanced Tactical Laser. In 2009, the ATL even hit a moving target.

“Fiber-optic lasers are revolutionizing directed energy systems,” said Jackson.