If you ’re thinking ofgiant lasers , chance are the new " Star Wars " film has just popped into your fountainhead – but laser weapon do n’t just go in the kingdom of fiction . The U.S. Navy has been developing a series ofLaser Weapon Systems(LaWS ) for several years now , and they are startlingly accurate – they can shoot tin can bathroom off a grubby while leaving the gravy holder intact . Now , China has entered one of its own laser weapon into the affray , first showing it to the world on state boob tube , as reported byPopular Science .
China shows off new Laser Weaponhttps://t.co/3gTTdeephD
— Cyber Arms ( @Cyberarms)November 26 , 2015
On November 7 , the Chinese government circulate a presentation of the new LAG ( Low Altitude Guard ) II laser weapon system . It was shown to accurately and rapidlysuperheat and obliterateairborne targets and drones over a military examination site . It ’s wax on a wheeled carriage tow by a separate vehicle ; when moved into position , it scans for prey underneath its protective bean using an electro - optical sensing element .
China shows most knock-down laser weapon yet on TVhttps://t.co/ZL1YLQs1JKpic.twitter.com/vxOIxGrhaC
— Popular Science ( @PopSci)November 27 , 2015
After tracking and lock on to multiple targets mechanically , the human operator chooses which one to put down manually ; the optical maser almost instantaneously superheats a small area on the already small butt , causing it to break apart in import . The reel explains that , if wirelessly linked to off - fomite radar sleuthing systems , the LAG II could potentially shoot down target displace at a far high speed , including incoming artillery unit eggshell .
This prototype is an climb from the LAG I , which was unveil in 2014 and is available for exportation . Although the power of the LAG II has not been confirmed , its predecessor possessed a 10 kilowatt beam – 100 times more muscular than the average incandescent light bulb , and at least 10 times more powerful than a high - terminal microwave . It could take down targets two kilometre ( 1.2 geographical mile ) off within instant .
These offensive , mounted monsters are known as “ mastermind - vigor ” weapons , in the main designed to shoot down drone or target specific part of an trench hostile fomite – such as its engine compartment – in Holy Order to incapacitate them without necessarily wholly put down them . Although powerful and certainly in force , the cost of firing each beam is relatively low , meaning that militaries across the world are likely to be using more of them in the near future .
