China's New 'Anti-Terror' Drone-Zapping Laser Hints at a Coming Arms Race

[jakeXT]

The US has long dominated the laser weapons game: everything from naval guns outfitted with drone-hunting lasers, to humvees with lasers that do the same, America seemed to be one of the only nations actively preparing for ammo-less war.

But China has recently signaled its intentions to join the march toward laser weapons, unveiling a laser system designed to destroy drones. The new lasers match American military capabilities in a growing tit-for-tat arms race between the two global superpowers.

As first reported by the state news agency Xinhua, the China Academy of Engineering Physics said the new system is characterized by its stealthy movement and ability to hone in on any small scale drone within a 1.2 mile radius, flying at low altitudes, around 1600 feet. That could mean targeting any type of quadcopter, other multi-blade drone, or mid-size winged surveillance drone.

Designed with private collaborators like China Jiuyuan Hi-Tech Equipment Corporation, the system can reportedly bring down a drone within five seconds of locating the target, and is operable within a 1.2 mile radius of the installation. In the first public test of the laser, the military shot down more than 30 drones.

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/china-and-the-us-are-now-in-an-anti-drone-laser-arms-race

[djean111]

1. The MIC's cut of the pie will just become bigger, and social spending will shrink.

And, eventually, someone will trigger Armageddon and all the Fundies will orgasm.