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‘Last line of defence’: military journal sheds light on China’s new LY-1 shipborne laser weapon
Article argues output of laser weapon unveiled at Beijing military parade exceeds American Helios and LWSD Mark 2 MOD 0 laser weapons
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Yuanyue Dangin Beijing
A Chinese military magazine has shed light on the mysterious laser weapon unveiled at the country’s Victory Day parade in Beijing this month, and argues that its output exceeds that of its American counterparts.
According to Ordnance Industry Science Technology, a Chinese military journal, the Liaoyuan-1 (LY-1) shipborne laser weapon displayed in the military parade on September 3 will be tasked with “close-range interception of incoming missiles and drones”, serving as the “last line of defence” within the shipborne air-defence system.
The article, published in the latest issue of the journal, added that the LY-1 “may form a complementary range structure alongside the long-range HHQ-9C, medium-range HQ-16C and short-range HQ-10A [naval air-defence missile] systems”.
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It also compared the LY-1 with the United States’ Helios laser weapon, saying the Chinese system’s overall structure was “considerably more robust” than the Helios.
05:50
China showcases new military hardware in massive Victory Day parade
China showcases new military hardware in massive Victory Day parade
“Particularly the LY-1’s lens aperture, which is nearly twice the diameter of the Helios’,” the article added. “Its auxiliary equipment, sensors, elevation mechanism and other subsystems are also far more advanced.”
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