At the 93rd military parade, China showcased its advanced anti-drone systems that employ a system-based combat mode. A special anti-drone formation was established, reflecting the high priority given to anti-drone operations. In terms of the development of relevant weapons and equipment, China is now at the forefront of the world.

Anti-drone Formation at the 93rd Military Parade

The anti-drone system integrates directed energy weapons with traditional air defense and missile interception weapons, forming a complete anti-drone system with strong combat capabilities. The anti-drone system displayed at the parade mainly relies on hard-kill methods, without including soft-kill systems such as electronic warfare systems. However, even considering only the hard-kill system, its performance is very advanced compared to similar systems worldwide.

The front of the anti-drone formation displayed a vehicle-mounted laser weapon. Although vehicle-mounted laser weapons are not a new concept, and China has previously shown multiple advanced export-oriented vehicle-mounted laser weapons, this is the first time that a vehicle-mounted laser weapon in service has been publicly displayed. This laser weapon is mounted on a Mingshi vehicle, with a compact size and moderate power, specifically designed for anti-drone operations, and has sufficient capability to deal with drones at close range. Laser weapons have significant cost-effectiveness advantages in anti-drone operations. Traditional missiles or anti-aircraft guns have high shooting costs, while laser weapons can continuously shoot by just supplying power, making them low-cost in air defense and missile interception.

The key to the practical application of laser weapons lies in a powerful power supply system. China's technological developments in electromagnetic catapult systems and energy storage systems have provided support for the miniaturization of laser weapons. This miniaturization allows laser weapons to conduct night-time air defense, providing ground forces with anti-drone capabilities, which is rare in the world.

Microwave Anti-drone System at the 93rd Military Parade

In addition, a microwave anti-drone system was also displayed. This system uses an active phased array radar for detection, with strong detection capabilities and multi-target tracking capabilities. As a directed energy weapon, the microwave uses thermal energy to destroy targets. The larger the panel, the higher the energy, enabling it to deal with a large number of drones. China has two types of anti-drone directed energy weapons, which is unique in the world.

A combined gun-missile system for anti-drone operations was also displayed, including small-caliber anti-aircraft guns, multi-barrel rapid-fire cannons, and compact air defense missiles. For drone characteristics, it does not require large missiles, but needs enough quantity to intercept a large number of drones at low cost. The displayed combined gun-missile system has a large number of missiles, small size and weight, large loading capacity per vehicle, low cost, and can achieve anti-drone operations through quantity superiority.

China focuses on innovation and development in anti-drone systems, integrating high-energy lasers, high-energy microwaves, and combined gun-missile systems, forming an anti-drone system that combines new concept weapons with traditional chemical energy weapons. The systems displayed at the parade are all in-service equipment, indicating that they have been deployed to the troops, significantly enhancing the anti-drone capabilities.

Shipborne Laser Weapon at the 93rd Military Parade

In addition to the vehicle-mounted laser weapon, the maritime combat group also displayed a shipborne laser weapon. This weapon is not too large in size or weight, with relatively low power, specifically designed for anti-drone operations on warships. The shipboard platform has stronger power supply capabilities, theoretically allowing for countless intercepts. It not only can deal with drones, but also can intercept small airborne weapons such as cruise missiles, serving as an advanced terminal air defense system.

The development of these new concept weapon systems will significantly enhance the Chinese Navy's short-range air defense, especially point defense capabilities, in air defense and missile interception operations.

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7547222410479551002/

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