China Tests LY-1 Naval Laser on Civilian Ship to Strengthen Defense Against Drones

English Posted on  —by Carro e motos
China tests LY-1 naval laser on a civilian ship to enhance drone defense
China tests LY-1 naval laser on a civilian ship to enhance drone defense (X @zhao_dashuai)

China has taken a new step in directed-energy weapons by testing the LY-1 naval laser system installed on the deck of a civilian Ro-Ro ship.

Images shared on Chinese social media show the equipment mounted on a camouflaged vehicle secured to the deck, raising questions about the use of commercial cargo ships as military platforms. The country has increasingly used civilian ships in amphibious and logistical operations, a practice that has become part of Chinese doctrine.

The LY-1 is designed to destroy drones, light helicopters, and stray munitions by burning sensors and forcing these targets to fall. By testing the laser on a civilian vessel, China evaluates how the system performs under real navigation conditions, including humidity, vibration, and constant sea movement, variables that directly affect the performance of directed-energy weapons.

Installing the laser on a Ro-Ro cargo ship also indicates potential large-scale defensive use, especially in scenarios involving Taiwan, where China relies on civilian ships to transport troops and vehicles. In the event of a conflict, these ships would be priority targets for enemy drones, and equipping them with silent, low-cost, fast-response lasers could turn each vessel into a mobile air defense point.

Source: Defence Blog | Photo: X @zhao_dashuai | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team

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