Article

2018-08-13 China-Japan-Koreas

[Dhaka Tribune] Laser guns are no longer in the future. China’s new laser assault rifle ZKZM-500 is reportedly capable of hitting a target from a kilometer away, igniting flammable objects, and burning through human skin. The researchers behind the project claim it is ready for production.

The US developed laser firing cannons that can be mounted on armored vehicles and can take down drones by burning its body. But effective laser rifles has been in the world of fantasy, until now.

The South China Morning Post spoke with researchers at the Xian Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who say they have developed a powerful laser rifle that will soon be in the hands of Chinese police who focus on anti-terrorism.

With a range of 800 meters, the ZKZM-500 laser assault rifle is a 15mm caliber weapon that weighs 3kg, which is roughly the same as an AK-47. It can be used to fire through transparent objects such as windows. And it is powerful enough to burn through a gas tank and ignite fuel storage facilities.

The weapon is absolutely silent and its beam is invisible. In the blink of an eye, the weapon can burn through the skin and tissue, causing “instant carbonization.” One researcher told the Morning Post that “the pain will be beyond endurance.”

At $15,000 a piece, the ZKZM-500 does not need any ammunition since its lithium-ion battery can handle over 1000 laser burst that lasts around two seconds each. This new tech is restricted for military and police only.

Posted by Fred 2018-08-13 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11130 views ] Top

#1 And how much does the battery pack cost? How much does it weigh? Va-por-ware.

Posted by magpie 2018-08-13 01:25|| 2018-08-13 01:25|| Front Page Top

#2 My shaving mirror is now tactical.

Posted by Maggie Creatle2007 2018-08-13 01:29|| 2018-08-13 01:29|| Front Page Top

#3 "Internet ready" mouse pads.

Posted by Skidmark 2018-08-13 02:17|| 2018-08-13 02:17|| Front Page Top

#4 this was first reported about a month ago and was greeted with a lot of technical skepticism... doesn't mean the fan quai aren't making progress, tho.

Posted by Ebbumble and Company5278 2018-08-13 09:13|| 2018-08-13 09:13|| Front Page Top

#5 I haven't read about any morons lasing commercial plane cockpits for a while. Media disinterest or something else?

Posted by M. Murcek 2018-08-13 09:35|| 2018-08-13 09:35|| Front Page Top

#6 However, the LaWS system is rapidly approaching mass production and deployment (2020) after it being proven in trials. The USN ships being built now can generate 2/3rds more energy than needed so they can use these in the future.

China and Russian/Indian hypersonic cruise missiles won't be able to get past a fleet carrying LaWS systems and the Iranian small boat fleet is toast (literally) when going up against this.

Posted by DarthVader 2018-08-13 10:13|| 2018-08-13 10:13|| Front Page Top

#7 Wonder how much is PLA propaganda and how much is the usual journalistic stupidity.
Still, the kW per shot:
(1000 shots) x (2 sec shot) / (battery smaller than weapon's 3.5 putative weight) = ???

Posted by magpie 2018-08-13 11:09|| 2018-08-13 11:09|| Front Page Top

#8 Ghillie Suits: Out

(Chinese-made) Reflective Thermal Suits: In

Posted by Vast Right Wing Conspiracy 2018-08-13 11:26|| 2018-08-13 11:26|| Front Page Top

#9 they have developed a powerful laser rifle that will soon be in the hands of Chinese police who focus on anti-terrorism.

If their aim is anything like the Imperial Storm Troopers', no one needs to worry.

Posted by charger 2018-08-13 12:34|| 2018-08-13 12:34|| Front Page Top

#10 Been following LASER potential since our first physics department use in 1975. It can be done, it will be done.

As Magpie pointed out you need a mobile power source. I might add the right discharge capacitors. The other problem is the development of high wattage LEDs for such use. The you have to deal with weapon system cooling and flex focusing lens.

But the ChiComs figuring it out?

Posted by Woodrow 2018-08-13 12:55|| 2018-08-13 12:55|| Front Page Top

#11 Me, I'll go with old m*v - I just wish somebody perfected caseless ammo.

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2018-08-13 13:02|| 2018-08-13 13:02|| Front Page Top

#12 The *best* battery we now have is smokeless propellant pushing a penetrating projectile. Funny how the *breakthrough* that will give us the super-dooper hi-capacity energy storage cells always seems to be 20 years down the road.

Posted by magpie 2018-08-13 13:17|| 2018-08-13 13:17|| Front Page Top

#13 Development close after the flux capacitor. Elon Musk is working overtime on it.

Posted by Crusomble Cretle9104 2018-08-13 18:41|| 2018-08-13 18:41|| Front Page Top

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