Recently, the CCTV military channel aired a CG animation. Few people paid attention, but military enthusiasts were shocked — the J-11B fighter jet in the video had two round, big devices hanging under its wings: an airborne laser cannon, with the caption "mounted for application".

This is not a model toy, but a real combat laser weapon. Previously, such things only appeared in sci-fi movies. Now, the Chinese Air Force has already put it on its active-duty main fighter jets. How bold is this move? Saying that it could revolutionize future air combat is not an exaggeration. Today, let's use simple language to explain the details of this laser cannon.

First, understand this: this laser cannon is not "boiling water", but a self-defense weapon specifically designed to counter missiles — the "light-speed killer". When people hear about laser weapons, they might think, "Is it like shining a flashlight on an ant?" Actually, no. The core advantage of this thing is one word: speed.

The fastest conventional missile can go up to 6 times the speed of sound, but lasers travel at light speed — 300,000 kilometers per second, which is 160,000 times faster than a missile! As soon as the enemy missile enters the range, the laser has already locked onto it and fired, giving you no time to react. Also, it doesn't need ammunition; as long as there's power, it can fire. It's a real nightmare for drone swarms and dense missile attacks.

In the video released by CCTV, the J-11B fighter jet hung the laser pod on the inner part of its wings. This position is very significant — it faces the front airspace, forming a "light-speed defense sector". In short, if an enemy missile comes from the front, whether it's the American AIM-120, the European Meteor, or a dogfight missile, once it enters the range, a beam of light will hit it, burning through the missile's guidance head, turning it into a "headless fly".

Some may ask: isn't laser affected by smog and clouds? How can it be used in the sky? This is exactly where China shows its cleverness — choosing the right battlefield. The J-11B is a heavy air superiority fighter that usually operates above 10,000 meters, where there are fewer clouds and thinner air, so the laser energy attenuation is minimal, allowing it to exert maximum power. This is equivalent to setting up a "sniper platform" at the most suitable height for laser warfare, seizing the high ground of the "high-altitude light-speed battlefield".

Take a practical scenario: during a high-altitude confrontation between Chinese and U.S. aircraft, the U.S. launches an AIM-120 missile first, which has a range of 160 kilometers and takes 20 seconds to arrive. At this point, the J-11B doesn't need to dodge. When the missile reaches the last 30 kilometers of the "irreversible area," the laser cannon turns on, locks onto it, and within a few seconds, melts the missile's guidance head. The whole process is silent, and the U.S. side can't even realize the missile has been shot down.

Many people focus only on the laser cannon itself, but they overlook another key point mentioned by CCTV — the "integrated power and electrical system." This is the real unsung hero.

The laser cannon is a "power guzzler," especially the high-power version capable of burning through missiles. One shot consumes energy equivalent to dozens of household air conditioners running simultaneously. The previous aircraft power systems couldn't handle it; the electricity wasn't enough, and it generated massive heat that could damage the aircraft body.

China's system is like equipping the J-11B with a "smart power bank + super cooler": it stores excess energy during normal operation and releases it instantly when firing. The heat generated is quickly dissipated through a special circulation system, ensuring the aircraft's performance isn't affected and allowing continuous shooting of the laser cannon. Without this system, even the most powerful laser cannon would just be a "power-hungry monster" and couldn't be used in actual combat.

Equipping the J-11B with a laser cannon is not simply adding a weapon; it's rewriting the rules of air combat. Previously, air combat was about missile range and maneuverability, but now, with the laser cannon, the situation has completely changed:

First, beyond-visual-range air combat becomes ineffective: previously, everyone competed on who spotted the target first and launched first. Now, no matter how many missiles you launch first, I can take them all down with my laser cannon, and the missiles won't get close. The U.S. "beyond-visual-range advantage" built around the AIM-120 may now be obsolete.

Second, drone swarms become useless: many countries have developed "drone sea tactics," trying to overwhelm opponents with numbers. However, the laser cannon can destroy drones at extremely low cost, with one shot of a cannonball being able to fire hundreds of times. No matter how many drones the enemy sends, they can all be burned down.

Third, the prototype of a sixth-generation aircraft appears: currently, both China and the U.S. are developing sixth-generation aircraft, with the core indicators being "directed energy weapons." China has already tested this technology on its active-duty J-11B, effectively bringing sixth-generation aircraft key technologies forward. The data and experience accumulated will give us a significant advantage in the sixth-generation aircraft competition.

Don't get too excited yet: what is China better than the U.S.? Where are we still lacking? Some may say, "Hasn't the U.S. already developed laser weapons?" Indeed, but the U.S. laser weapons are mostly installed on tanks and warships. Installing them on aircraft has never been successful — either the power is insufficient to penetrate missiles or the energy system can't withstand the load.

China's breakthrough lies in "practicalization": directly installing it on active-duty main fighters and solving the issues of power supply and heat dissipation. This step is at least five years ahead of the U.S. But we must also admit that the current laser cannon is still in the "pod version," with large size and limited power, only capable of shooting missiles and drones, not aircraft. To make it internal and higher power, there's still a long way to go.

Finally, let's be honest: this is the strategic vision of the Chinese Air Force. Equipping the J-11B with a laser cannon is not for immediate combat, but to seize the "air combat high ground" for the next 10 years. By verifying the technology on active-duty aircraft, we can later directly install more advanced versions when sixth-generation aircraft come out. When large early warning aircraft and bombers are equipped, we can form an "airborne laser defense network," making it impossible for any missile or drone to enter.

Previously, the U.S. always said "to maintain the technological gap," but now, China's laser cannon tells them: the rules of future air combat should be determined by us. This silent beam of light is more intimidating than any missile.

Do you think how long will this laser cannon be officially deployed? Will the sixth-generation aircraft directly carry a more powerful version? Let's discuss your opinions in the comments section!

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7565828380751299108/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author. Welcome to express your attitude using the 【Up/Down】 buttons below.