Typically, it is a turret bolted up on the Superstructure. Line of sight, the higher the better - so someday perhaps they will crow's nest-like turrets for 360 degree coverage. In the photo, it is on the turret between the two phased array radars.
We have had one mounted on the USS Ponce in the Gulf for a few years now. They can throttle the power down to just dazzle or blind, or crank it up (to 300KW) to set fires or burn holes in metal. It can be used against craft on the water, or targets in the air or on land - long reach and a bottomless magazine.
I am interested to see what the power is. As the power rises, you can start slapping down aerial targets quickly.
USS Ponce (up on the Superstructure):
