Intelligence sources now believe the test which the FT initially reported and the test acknowledged by the Chinese are different. 'This technology represents a leap-ahead capability for air and missile defense that is necessary to support the Army's modernization efforts and defeat next-generation threats in a multi-domain battlespace.'Ĭhina launched the dummy weapon into space on board a Long March 2C rocket (pictured) during a test in mid-August which it did not disclose at the time and was only revealed last month by security analysts assigned to work out its purposeīeijing subsequently acknowledged the August test, but said it had taken place on July 16. 'The high power, compact laser weapon subsystem prototype that GA-EMS will deliver under this contract will produce a lethal output greater than anything fielded to date,' said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS in a statement.

If the laser is successfully developed, it could destroy a number of objects, from small drones to missiles, PopScience reported. But analysts believe the craft can actually be tipped with a nuclear warhead which would be able to evade missile defenses.Įven government scientists are struggling to work out exactly what the new craft is capable of, with one source telling the Financial Times that it appears to 'defy the laws of physics' and is unlike any technology the U.S. If the laser is successfully developed, it could destroy a number of objects, from small drones to missilesīeijing has acknowledged one of the tests, claiming it launched a 'peaceful' civilian spacecraft.

Last year, the Navy demonstrated the 150 kilowatt Laser Weapon System Demonstrator atop the USS Portlandīy Chris Ciaccia For Dailymail.Com and Chris Pleasance for MailOnline.

If the laser is successfully developed, it could destroy a number of objects, from small drones to missiles.

Beijing's first test reportedly took place on July 27, with the second occurring on August 13, two weeks later.

The contract was awarded on October 25, days after it was reported that China performed a second test in August of a hypersonic missile.

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