of protons. reporter: cnn witnessed that speed and power firsthand. first, the crew launches the target and an incoming drone aircraft, a weapon in increasing use by iran, north korea, china, russia and other adversaries. immediately, the weapons team zeros in on its target. we don t have to lead a target. is it is a point and shoot. we see it, focus on it and can negate that target. reporter: then, in an instant, the drone lights up, sending the aircraft down to the sea. all of this from a silent and invisible killer. it operates in an invisible spectrum. you don t see the beam. it doesn t make any sound. it s completely silent and it s