China has taken drastic steps to ensure its skies remain clear of low-flying drones as a weapons company is claiming to have developed a small laser cannon to shoot them down.
In a statement released by the China Academy of Engineering Physics but documented in Chinese media, the laser system will be specifically targeting small drones, similar to the ones available on the commercial market.
As more and more drones begin to fill the skies, governments across the world, but particularly China, are worried about the potential implications for a flying camera system roaming its airspace.
The silent-but-deadly machine will be able to target drones within a 2km radius and will be effective against any drones flying at an altitude of below 500m and flying at a speed no faster than 50m/s.
So far, initial testing has shown the system to be working perfectly with a 100pc success rate, shooting down 30 drone test aircraft.
While the laser is designed to be operated from almost anywhere, and even attached to various ground vehicles, the company who have designed the laser, China Jiuyuan Hi-Tech Equipment Corp, have their market firmly set within national security issues.
Yi Jinsong, a manager within the company, said that their system will be much more efficient than current government efforts, “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.”
Drone image via Shutterstock
