I think it can be safely assumed that they have multiple laser systems of differing tiers designed against different targets under various stages of development.
chinese laser weapon development
- Thread starter maozedong
- Start date
I think it can be safely assumed that they have multiple laser systems of differing tiers designed against different targets under various stages of development.
We need to keep an close eye out for Type-055.
kwaigonegin
Colonel
Just for the sake or argument how much power is needed to burn through say 1000 mm of regular steel armor?
Depends on range, weather, exposure time, etc.
kwaigonegin
Colonel
I was thinking control environment since 1000 mm steel is good benchmark for modern tank armor.
SamuraiBlue
Captain
As siegecrossbow suggested it depends on range weather, exposure time,etc. A good high power industrial laser cutter of 600W can cut through if it's close enough and if you give it enough time but apparently this would not do much as a weapon.
The problem would be how to squeeze large amount of energy at one time without various electrical components to explode but is compact enough so it can be transported on a van or other small size vehicles.
Another point is direct energy weapons are not designed to defeat 1000mm of steel armor on the battle field. Missiles, cars, planes, etc. have far less armor plating to obtain maximum range.
The problem would be how to squeeze large amount of energy at one time without various electrical components to explode but is compact enough so it can be transported on a van or other small size vehicles.
Another point is direct energy weapons are not designed to defeat 1000mm of steel armor on the battle field. Missiles, cars, planes, etc. have far less armor plating to obtain maximum range.
Especially relevant for missiles and aircraft since compromising the airframe (a lot easier to do than slagging through solid armour) can cause them to break apart in mid-air.
For tanks what you can do with laser you can probably get farther easier with kinetic perpetrator; the only advantage I can think of is that with lasers, what you aim is what you hit. It that case it might be better used to target the opponent's optical systems and electronics.
SamuraiBlue
Captain
Or peirce the fuel/control lines which can be done instantaneously.
Zool
Junior Member
I think for armor, rather than burning through with a laser a better solution would be a particle weapon. One possibility for that is two streams of high energy particles colliding on or just in front of a target causing an explosive reaction. It's a little more exotic and firmly in the research stage.