Star Wars? How about Drone Wars: China develops laser to fight U.S. drones

China has decided to take a page out of Star Wars, designing a laser that can shoot targets within a 1.2 mile radius, and experts believe that the new weapon could spot and shoot down drones.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Engineers at the China Academy of Engineering Physics designed the weapon, which is intended to be placed on the ground or mounted on a vehicle.

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A Chinese official said that the laser is intended to destroy the miniature drones that are widely available on the consumer market. This is part of a growing fear by Beijing that terrorists or spies may use the quiet, cheap and easy to use drones.

The Chinese defense agency reported that the new weapon will provide security during major events in heavily populated areas. It is capable of shooting drones that fly up to 112 mph, and anywhere up to 1,600 feet.

In a recent test, the weapon system was up against 30 drones. It hit every target.

Yi Jinsong, the executive of the Chinese firm heading the project-Jiuyuan Hi-Tech-said that: "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."

The firm is also developing a larger, much more powerful version of this same laser, which has greater range. This will be used by the Chinese military in the future, rivaling similar projects that the United States military is developing, and perhaps a sign that China is willing and able to take on the swarms of unmanned drones that the U.S. military frequently uses.

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