The LY-1 shipboard laser weapon system, with a lens diameter exceeding 1 meter, has quietly made its appearance, being the largest in terms of lens diameter among currently available shipboard laser weapons globally, marking that China has surpassed the United States in the field of laser weapons.

Combining the power system parameters publicly disclosed by China in recent years at exhibitions, it can be inferred that the maximum output power of LY-1 is no less than 300 kilowatts. This data exceeds all laser weapon systems tested by the U.S. Navy, and may even surpass the U.S. future goals. Two laser weapon power systems publicly displayed at recent military exhibitions provide important references: one with an instantaneous output power of 500 kilowatts, and another close to 1 megawatt (1000 kilowatts).

According to the 30% conversion efficiency of fiber lasers, these two power systems can support laser weapons with maximum output powers of 150 kilowatts and 300 kilowatts, respectively. However, some newly developed fiber lasers in China have conversion efficiencies approaching 35%, allowing for higher power laser weapons with the same power systems.

Another key technology is particularly critical: China holds a dominant position in the global civilian fiber laser market, laying a solid foundation for the development of military laser weapons. The BGSe crystal developed by the Wuxi Institute of Materials has raised the maximum power of laser weapons to 550 kilowatts, demonstrating China's technical reserves in this field. In other words, now, if a laser weapon wants to achieve high power output without "burning itself out," the size of the BGSe crystal is the main limiting factor.

The operational applications of laser weapons mainly manifest in several areas: during warfare, the cost is extremely low, with each firing costing only a few dollars. Destroying targets at light speed could be an effective means against hypersonic missiles; precise strike capabilities allow selective destruction of key parts of targets.

For shipboard applications, achieving or exceeding 300 kilowatts of power level is of significant importance. A laser weapon of this power level can effectively intercept subsonic cruise missiles, providing ships with a stable and reliable short-range defense capability.

Up to now, the maximum output power of the laser weapons actually tested on U.S. warships is still less than 150 kilowatts. The large-scale laser weapon installed and tested on the Chinese 071-type amphibious assault ship "Siming Mountain" last year bears a very similar appearance to LY-1.

The U.S. Air Force once tested the ABL airborne laser weapon system, which reached megawatt-level power, but was eventually discarded due to too many technical problems, unsatisfactory performance, and high costs. The oxygen iodine chemical laser used in this project has been proven unsuitable for the needs of pre-set battlefields.

Next, there is another question: Is a laser weapon truly a universal solution? I don't think so.

In actual use, this weapon is indeed affected by weather conditions. Bad weather such as rain, snow, fog, and sandstorms can weaken the laser's energy, thereby affecting combat effectiveness. This is a common challenge faced by all laser weapon systems.

Nevertheless, even so, laser weapons have significant advantages when the weather is good. Especially when intercepting low-flying targets, the atmospheric environment is generally stable, allowing laser weapons to better perform their functions.

Chinese researchers are addressing the impact of weather through various technological approaches, including adaptive optics technology, multi-band laser technology, and the integration with traditional weapon systems. Observing whether the 055 and 052D destroyers of China will be equipped with this weapon will be an important indicator of the maturity of the technology. If it begins to be deployed, it indicates that the technology has reached the practical level for defending against subsonic cruise missiles.

Both China and the United States are actively developing higher-power laser weapon systems, pursuing longer ranges, higher accuracy, and better environmental adaptability.

China, with key technological breakthroughs such as BGSe crystals, is establishing a leading advantage in this field. When China's laser weapons are mass-produced and deployed in the future, it will be the time when the People's Navy gains a decisive advantage on the battlefield.



Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7552153670840386089/

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