Yet another sci-fi geek dream has been turned into reality, with the US Navy demonstrating a laser capable of shooting down moving targets.

Defence technology company Raytheon Missile Systems teamed up with the US Navy to unveil the high-powered laser weapon at the Farnborough Air Show in Hampshire this week.

A mock-up of the laser weapon in action.

In secret tests the laser was capable of shooting down four unmanned aerical vehicles (UAVs) mid-flight.

The weapon, which will be used by the Navy as a last line of defence, is made up of six industrial-use lasers that simultanously focus on the target. The beam is rated at 50 kilowatts and it can be used to shoot down planes, mortar, rockets and small surface ships.