China’s new laser system intercepts drones at 1km range

China has unveiled its latest high-powered laser defense system, known as the Red Wing Vanguard (or Striker), designed specifically to counter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threats.

Capable of generating 3 kW of laser power, the Red Wing Vanguard is equipped to intercept and neutralize drones within a range of over 1 kilometer. The system boasts a precision laser spot with a diameter of 20mm at 1,000 meters, enhancing its ability to target small and fast-moving UAVs effectively.

The Red Wing Vanguard can be mounted on various platforms, including unmanned ground vehicles and maritime vessels, to provide mobile anti-drone defense in both urban and battlefield environments.

- ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW -

According to its specifications, the laser system can engage incoming drones with minimal collateral damage, providing a precise and scalable solution for drone interception.

The technology underscores China’s continued investment in directed-energy systems as a countermeasure against the increasing use of drones in surveillance and combat roles.

Readers who wish to follow our weekly coverage can subscribe to the Weekly Defense Roundup.

If you wish to report a grammatical or factual error in this article, please let us know by using the online form.

Executive Editor

Support The Defence Blog

Independent reporting takes resources. Join us on Patreon.

Become a patron

More Like This

U.S. Army’s top official tested laser-armed vehicle in New Mexico

The U.S. Army's top civilian official sat down at the operator's seat of a laser-armed pickup truck at White Sands Missile Range in New...

U.S. Army tests British-made interceptor to beat drones

The U.S. Army's 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade has tested a new low-cost interceptor called Skyhammer in Europe, putting Cambridge Aerospace's system through developmental...

U.S. Army invests $461M to rebuild short-range air defense fast

The U.S. Army is nearly doubling its investment in its primary short-range air defense system for fiscal year 2027, requesting $461 million for the...

L3Harris wins $98M to make APKWS rockets deadlier against drones

A $48.5 million contract awarded to L3Harris to produce proximity fuzes for the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System is the latest signal that the...

China tells U.S. Korea commander he crossed the line

The top American general in South Korea described the Korean Peninsula as "the dagger in the heart of Asia" from China's perspective, and China's...

DARPA wants to replace GPS dependence with new class of sensors

Every GPS signal on the battlefield is a vulnerability waiting to be exploited, and Russia, China, and Iran have all demonstrated the willingness to...