China’s New Non‑Lethal Laser: Set the Stage on Fire, Literally
Picture a crowd of protesters holding banners that suddenly turn into ash—thanks to a laser that can fire from almost a kilometre away. A Chinese firm, teasing a weapon that will melt hair and fiery billboards alike, is turning the high‑tech dream of laser‑powered crowd control into a reality. Whether it’s a good idea? That’s up for debate.
What the “Laser‑Flinger” Actually Does
- Target size? 15‑mm calibre, weighs just 3 kg (6.6 lb).
- Range: Up to 800 m (≈2,600 ft) with the ability to zap through glass and other transparent obstacles.
- Mounting options: Cars, boats, planes—why not a selfie‑stick?
- Goal: To “immediately” produce a strong pain response, not instant carbonisation of skin. Think: painful, not lethal.
The CEO, who chose to stay anonymous, told AFP that this laser is specifically meant to burn illegal protest banners or the hair (and clothing) of those standing in the line of fire. “It’s not meant for killing, unlike a gun that shoots bullets,” he emphasised.
Trying to Get the Steam in Production
- The company is on the lookout for a partner with a weapons licence or a security/defence industry collaborator to scale up production.
- “Basically, we’re aiming at Chinese police,” the boss added.
- He hinted summer‑season upgrades: a “laser cannon” with more power could turn the device lethal.
- But the international community has a strong “no killer lasers” pact, so any step toward a lethal version would be condemned as “inhumane” and painful beyond imagination.
Who’s Saying “Nope”?
Not everyone is buying this futuristic prototype. According to TechCrunch, the realism of having a hand‑held laser that can set a person on fire from 0.5 miles is still far from reality. That’s because:
- The power needed to ignite a target instantly at that distance is colossal.
- A tiny, few‑pound device firing hundreds of skin‑searing laser shots remains infeasible with today’s tech.
Beyond China – the Global Laser Race
Lasers are a global topic. Lockheed Martin, last year, revealed a 60‑kW laser that’s invisible to the naked eye and is slated for use against small drones and mortar threats. The U.S. defence community is racing to catch up; the big players are all in on prototypes aimed at the Pentagon.
So, while this Chinese laser might only start out burning protest banners and hair, it’s a harbinger of a future where crowd‑control tech could become a battlefield reality—if the technology catches up, that is. Meanwhile, folks in the field keep staring at the wild idea that a laser can become a weapon of fire from miles away, perhaps joined by a dash of humour and a lot of caution.
