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China Has Unveiled a New Laser System to Shoot Down Drones

China unveils laser drone defence system

Laser has 1.2-mile range and can bring down small low-flying aircraft within five seconds of locating target
China has developed a highly accurate laser weapon system that can shoot down light drones at low altitude, state media reported.
The machine has a 1.2-mile range and can bring down “various small aircraft” within five seconds of locating its target, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing a statement by the China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP), one of the developers.

Xinhua showed pictures of large metal boxes in camouflage paint and the wreckage of a small drone, some of it burning.

The laser system is expected to “play a key role in ensuring security during major events in urban areas” and address concerns on unlicensed mapping activities, according to Xinhua. It is effective up to a maximum altitude of 500 metres and against aircraft flying at up to 50 metres per second (112mph), Xinhua said.

It cited Yi Jinsong, a manager with China Jiuyuan Hi-Tech Equipment Corp, as saying that small-scale, unmanned drones were relatively cheap and easy to use, making them a likely choice for terrorists.

“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,” he said.

The system, which can be installed on vehicles, shot down more than 30 drones in a recent test with a “100% success rate” said the CAEP statement.

The academy is developing similar laser security systems with greater power and range, Xinhua said in its report on Sunday.

China typically deploys tight security for domestic political meetings, international conferences and sports events, looking to prevent public protests over issues such as illegal land seizures and corruption as well as any threats to the participants.
 
That laser blinding satellite tech was done 8 years ago :pop::cheesy:

Pentagon confirms Beijing's anti-satellite laser
By Christopher Williams, 6 Oct 2006

Pentagon confirms Beijing's anti-satellite laser • The Register

The US has confirmed China has successfully blocked one of its spy satellites using a ground-to-space laser.

The high-powered light was able to blind onboard cameras, acknowledged National Reconnaissance Office director Donald Kerr, responding to a report in Defense News. He said: "It makes us think."

Alluding to wider concerns about the vulerabilities of communications satellites, Air Force space commander general Kevin Chilton said: "We're at a point where the technology's out there and the capability for people to do things to our satellites is there. I'm focused on it beyond any single event."

The incident is likely to reignite the debate over the US's own anti-satellite programme, for which the House of Representatives attempted to block funding.

More here from Reuters. ®

Also

Bachmann’s claim that China ‘blinded’ U.S. satellites - The Washington Post
 
Excellent, the U.S is developing smaller and smaller drones though, hope China has development plans for countering cell phone sized drones etc
 

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