A system includes one or more lasers, a collimator, and a controller. The one or more lasers are configured to generate laser illumination. The collimator is configured to adjust at least one of a degree of collimation, a divergence, and an intensity of the laser illumination and to direct the laser illumination towards one or more targets. The controller is configured to control the one or more lasers and the collimator in order to adjust the laser illumination directed at the one or more targets, and the controller is configured to control the one or more lasers and the collimator differently in different operating modes. Example operating modes could include a spotlight mode, a single-color dazzler or pulsating mode, a multi-color dazzler or pulsating mode, a communication mode, and an infrared-based operation mode.