A few years ago, the Russian President announced that the country had developed a new cutting-edge system: a laser weapon called ‘Peresvet.’ In an unveiling video, the device rotated in different directions. This demonstrated that it could monitor a moving target, and the name is a reference to a medieval Orthodox warrior monk. China and Russia are also developing laser weapons.
Russia
On May 18, a Russian official claimed that Moscow has developed a powerful new laser weapon prototype that could hit drones and satellites in Ukraine. But is the news true? Experts say it’s hard to separate fact from fiction. But President Putin’s recent promises to destroy Ukraine may have contributed to Russia’s growing interest in laser weapons. Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov told a news conference that the new weapon system has a five-kilometer range, and incinerated a drone in just five seconds.
The Peresvet laser system was unveiled by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018, and it can blind satellites up to 930 km in the air. Its range makes it a viable option to shoot down drones and prevent them from spying on Russian military activities. Russia’s laser weapons also have the capability to destroy physical objects. As a result, these weapons can prevent Russia from using costly missiles in its conflict with Ukraine.
In addition to the Peresvet laser weapon, the Russian military has also developed the Zadira laser weapon, which is said to have a five-kilometer range. The weapon has yet to be officially unveiled, but Borisov’s comments are interesting. In the past, the U.S. and NATO have both provided Ukraine with weapons. And, in recent years, the Ukrainian president has even mocked the Russians’ decision to use laser weapons, claiming that they are comparable to Nazi wonder weapons.
A prototype of a drone-killing laser was tested in Ukraine in November, and Russian media picked up the news and reported that it was a prototype of a new weapon. Russia has been working on a new generation of laser weapons for decades, and it is reportedly moving closer to a finalized weapon. However, if a laser-based weapon can be developed, it would cost about $3.50 a shot, so it would be very effective in a military conflict.
The Russian president has also recently made an announcement about its new arsenal of lethal weapons. The latest weapon is the Peresvet laser weapon, which President Putin addressed as ‘Peresvet’. The weapon is currently being used by Russian military units in advanced combat operations against Kyiv. In addition, Ukraine has observed the Bayraktar drones in action against Ukraine. The Bayraktar TB2 drone, for instance, has been used in the airspace near Odesa and Kiev since the Russian president’s comments.
As a result of the Ukrainian war, Russia has started to deploy new types of laser weapons aimed at burning up drones. The first of these weapons, Peresvet, can blind a satellite up to 1,500 kilometers in the air. Borisov has also warned that more powerful laser weapons may be used in the future, and that the weapon could eventually replace traditional weapons. However, Reuters has not independently verified the test results.
China
China has laser weapons. What does that mean for us? It means that China is working on a weapon capable of destroying hostile targets. A laser weapon is a very powerful and precise weapon that could also cause unimaginable pain. But how would they actually work? And is China ready to use them? We’ll have to wait and see, but here’s a sneak peek. In the meantime, we can still watch the demonstrations from the comfort of our own homes.
The China Daily report states that a PLA Navy destroyer used a laser on a U.S. surveillance aircraft that was flying out of Okinawa, over wide international waters. The PLA Navy destroyer fired a laser beam into the sky, striking the surveillance aircraft. It’s a warning sign that China is getting increasingly bold in its pursuit of security. We can expect more of this, especially if we’re at war with China.
The United States and other nations should raise these concerns bilaterally, and through military channels. The existing memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were negotiated by military professionals, not politicians. If China decides to use lasers, it’ll simply exploit those agreements to undermine international law and conventions. But the United States should not give up just yet. It must be aware that China’s government has no intention of making amends for its actions.
It’s unclear exactly what China is planning to use lasers for, but it’s certainly an important step towards developing counter-space weapons. China is also pursuing directed-energy weapons, and state media and manufacturers have shown pictures and videos of the devices. Using lasers to target aircraft can temporarily blind pilots, and can disable electronics and even cause airplanes to crash. But what exactly are the consequences? And will we ever know?
It’s unclear if China will use lasers on its warships, but this technological advancement could change the face of aerial warfare. The next generation of warfare will use lasers and they could be crucial in making it possible. For now, China is looking to develop laser weapons on their fighters and naval vessels. Chinese state media reported that its warships were fitted with modern generators that could power high-energy weaponry. Although China did not provide specifics of its warships, it’s widely assumed they’ll be the most modern destroyers on the market.
The first generation of laser weapons required the firing of several beams to kill a target. They also required precision distance reading. The newer generation of laser weapons fire one beam at a time and can cause as much damage as a large truck-mounted laser cannon. This is certainly the most powerful weapon of its kind. But is it capable of destroying a living person? The future will tell. And the future will tell us how China will use them.
U.S.
The United States is working on high-energy laser weapons that can destroy modern weapon systems in the air and on land. These weapons have demonstrated their effectiveness against modern weapon systems in both air and sea. However, these weapons have yet to be deployed in combat, and potential adversaries are developing ways to disrupt U.S. efforts in these domains. The United States is a leading player in the development of weapons-related DE efforts, but these aren’t limited to these three countries.
The US Army is planning to mount a 50-kilowatt laser on Stryker armored vehicles, and hopes to deploy the first four-vehicle laser platoon by 2022. The US is developing a higher-energy laser weapon system to counter asymmetric threats such as cruise missiles that travel between 500 and 600 miles per hour. The 100 KW High Energy Laser system is considered an interim development toward the development of a 250-300 KW laser weapon.
China is also developing airborne lasers, which it said was used to blind U.S. aircraft during the recent Lebanon war. Lasers can also be used with missiles to get past an enemy’s air defenses, and Israel has demonstrated the use of lasers on guided munitions during the 1982 Lebanon War. It is not yet clear when Israel will deploy the Iron Beam and the Iron Dome, but it is likely that the Israelis will be responding to North Korea’s ballistic missiles.
The United States is also developing directed energy weapons. The Pentagon is developing more advanced batteries to support distributed forces. It also wants to develop laser weapons that can destroy cruise missiles. A high-energy laser weapon is not ready for use in combat, but it is a useful tool for preventing and eliminating threats. There are still several questions about whether the U.S. military should pursue such a technology. However, this is an exciting time for U.S. directed energy weapons.
In addition to the latest advances in UAVs, the U.S. Army is also adding a new laser weapon system to its arsenal. It has awarded a $123 million contract to Raytheon Intelligence & Space. The new system will be delivered to the Army sometime next year. The company is partnering with the Air Force Research Laboratory to develop high-energy laser weapons that will help combat drones. If it’s successful, the U.S. military will be able to employ it in many scenarios.
A recent attack on American forces in Syria has prompted the U.S. government to blame Iran for the attack. The Iranian-led expansion campaign in Syria is largely based on armed drones. A high-energy laser weapon could be used to attack Iranian targets, including armed drones. It could have a 300-kilowatt power. Moreover, the US Air Force is working on an electromagnetic microwave weapon called the Tactical High Power Operational Responder.
