How will laser weapons shape destroyer power systems?

Will laser power requirements constrain future destroyer design?

Yes; generation and energy storage will be major constraints, making distributed power and upgrade space valuable.

Laser capacity depends on power generation and capacitors, so the electrical plant constrains the design. The Italian DDX's separated stacks are interpreted as a sign of distributed machinery and more engineering space. Dispersing the generation equipment can support survivability. Extra space also leaves more flexibility to upgrade power generation as laser requirements grow.