China has successfully tested a self-developed laser defense system

[qwerrty]

how many kW? i'm guessing 10-15kW..

 

[TaiShang]

China develops anti-drone laser

China has successfully tested a homemade laser defense system specially targeting small-scale drones flying at low attitude.

The machine is able to shoot down various small aircraft within a two-kilometer radius and can do so in five seconds after locating its target, said a statement released Sunday by the China Academy of Engineering Physics, one of the system's co-developers.

Characterized by its speed, precision and low noise, the system is designed to destroy unmanned, small-scale drones flying within an altitude of 500-m and at a speed below 50m/s, it said.

"Intercepting such drones is usually the work of snipers and helicopters, but their success rate is not as high and mistakes with accuracy can result in unwanted damage," said Yi Jinsong, a manager with China Jiuyuan Hi-Tech Equipment Corp., a group under the academy spearheading the project.

According to Yi, small-scale, unmanned drones are relatively cheap and easy to use, which makes them a likely choice for terrorists. In addition, concerns have been raised over drones engaged in unlicensed mapping activities and the affect this could have on military and civil aerial activities.

The new laser system, which will either be installed or transported in vehicles, is expected to play a key role in ensuring security during major events in urban areas, the statement said, adding that a recent test saw the machine successfully shoot down more than 30 drones -- a 100 percent success rate.

The academy revealed that it was developing similar laser security systems with greater power and range.

 

[cirr]

Said to be a target in a laser weapon test conducted in 1998：

 

[yusheng]

 

[Gunsnroses]

Bravo China! Keep going

 

[cirr]

Bravo China! Keep going

Yes，sir！

 

[帅的一匹]

i want a laser gun in my inventory soon.

 

[CyberForce786]

The academy revealed that it was developing similar laser security systems with greater power and range.

I am sure further developments of laser security system will be interesting....
And it will be helpful to ground some of these....

 

[Oldman1]

Any footage?
Something similar like this?

 

[siegecrossbow]

Any footage?
Something similar like this?

There are some photos floating around on the web, but no official video of the test that I am aware of.
In either case this weapon is just a watered-down version for non-military use and in no way comparable to THEL or MIRACL.

Whatever did this to those stationary shells/warheads back in 1998 is probably closer in power to THEL.

 

[TaiShang]

China unveils anti-drone laser weapon able to shoot down 'small aircraft' within 5 seconds

China, Military, USA
China has developed and successfully tested a highly accurate laser defense system against light drones. The homemade machine boasts a two-kilometer range and can down "various small aircraft" within five seconds of locating its target.

Boasting high speed, great precision and low noise, the system is aimed at destroying unmanned, small-scale drones flying under an altitude of 500 meters and at speeds below 50 meters per second, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement by one of the developers, the China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP).

A recent test saw the machine successfully bring down over 30 drones - a 100-percent success rate, according to the statement. The laser system is expected to play a key role in ensuring security during major events in urban areas.

"Intercepting such drones is usually the work of snipers and helicopters, but their success rate is not as high and mistakes with accuracy can result in unwanted damage," explained Yi Jinsong, a manager with China Jiuyuan Hi-Tech Equipment Corp.

Yi told Xinhua that small-scale, unmanned drones are relatively cheap and easy to use, which makes them a lucrative choice for terrorists. Concerns have also been raised recently over drones involved in unlicensed mapping activities, and the negative effect this could have on both military and civil aerial activities.

The academy is currently working on developing similar laser security systems with greater power and range, the Chinese news agency reported.

The drone industry has been booming in recent years, with the challenge to build small, hard-to-track drones that are difficult shoot down.

The US military is to get a new drone, small enough to fit into a uniform pocket, weighing a mere 80 grams. The so-called Extreme Access Pocket Flyer can fly for two hours, transmitting HD-quality video the whole time, without resorting to Wi-Fi.

According to a report by the independent, nonprofit, public policy institute, Stimson, the US has the"world’s largest and most sophisticated fleet of weaponized UAVs," though America is "not likely to remain the world leader in the development of innovative UAV technologies."

US military forces had at least 678 drones in service in 2012, according to a study by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, as reported by the Guardian.

 

[Keel]

This "watered-down" project could be the satisfactory answer to the almighty American fanboys

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

 

[cirr]

China's New Laser Zaps Drones

By Jeffrey Lin and P.W. Singer

Posted 11.03.2014 at 10:30 am

Drone Zapper China's Academy of Physics Engineering and several high tech corporations have built this 10 kilowatt laser for shooting down small drones to defend urban areas. The consortium admits that they are already working on building more powerful lasers, most likely for military usage. This laser is likely to be displayed at the Zhuhai 2014 Airshow. news.qq.com

A group of Chinese companies has developed a powerful anti-drone laser for use in urban areas. The consortium is lead by the China Academy of Engineering Physics and collaborators like China Jiuyuan Hi-Tech Equipment Corporation. In the next few years, mini-UAVs like quadcopters and hand launched drones will proliferate to hobbyists, activists, journalists, businesses, and quite likely, terrorists as well. Counterterrorist agencies from Washington to London, Moscow to Jakarta, are worrying about the ability of terrorists to use mini-UAVs to scout out attacks, or act as impropmtu bombers.

Flaming Crash China's new laser turret has been successful, including having a 100% hit rate on 30 drones, like this unfortunate quadcopter, in one test. The laser turret is small enough to be portable on the back of a small truck or Humvee. news.qq.com

According to its developers, the 10 kilowatt (coincidentally the same output as the initial laser on Lockheed Martin's HEL MD truck) laser can destroy drones flying at speeds of 180km, at ranges of 2km and a 50 meter altitude. The laser relies on electro-optical sensors for targeting; it takes about five seconds to compute a firing solution. These specifications match the needs in the target market of urban law enforcement and military operators.

HEL MD Laser The U.S. Army is testing the High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HEL MD), built by Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall, which has already shoot down 150 mortar shells and small UAVs during two tests. Like the Chinese anti-drone laser, the HEL MD currently uses a 10kW laser, though both systems have plans to upgrade to more powerful lasers in the near future. Gizmag.com

Beijing Airport probably wished they had this laser in December 2013, when a mapping drone flying near airplane flight paths mobilized 1,200 troops, two fighter and two helicopters to arrest the drone's three rogue operators. According to Yi Jingsong, a Jiuyuan employee, snipers and drones are less than optimal solutions for dealing with small drones due to operator mistakes, but the anti-drone laser has a perfect record of shooting down over 30 drones in a single test run. Compared to missiles and anti-air cannons, the laser has a far lower likelihood of causing collateral damage and injury to nearby civilians. The anti-drone laser is light enough to either be installed to protect a fixed position like a stadium or government building, as well as to be mounted on trucks.

LaWS Laser The USN is currently fielding the Laser Weapons System (LaWS), a 15-50kW laser on board the USS Ponce, an American special operations warship. The LaWS, which is larger than the Chinese anti-drone laser, is powerful enough to destroy small boats, drones and missiles, at the cost of less than $1.00 per shot, using the targeting system of the Phalanx cannon. Gizmag.com

Mr. Yi admitted that the Academy and Jiuyuan Corporation are planning to build bigger, farther reaching lasers. For comparison, the U.S. Navy's tested its Laser Weapons System (LaWS), which can kill small boats and drones with its 33kW laser, this summer in Persian Gulf. If relative defense newcomers the Academy are pitching destructive lasers at Zhuhai 2014, it wouldn't be too farfetched to see Chinese fighters and warships with friggin laser beams in 2020.

 

[Kinetic]

This "watered-down" project could be the satisfactory answer to the almighty American fanboys

What is this?

Well done China!