Pioneering the use of deployable laser weapons in the USA military, Townes proceeded to develop the laser defense turret. Like the standard Patriot, the Laser Defense Turret (LDT) could target ground and air targets within range, and relay the position of enemies to nearby turrets that might otherwise be out of range. However, the LDT's high-energy laser pulse cannot be intercepted or evaded, and is far more deadly than the Patriot's missiles.