China's high-powered laser weapon, LY-1 (Liaoyuan), has been confirmed to be operationally deployed. According to a video released by state broadcaster CCTV on August 11, the weapon was spotted during a joint exercise by the People's Liberation Army Navy and Air Force near Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) on August 1. Military experts identified a large rectangular device behind the 76mm gun on the Type 071 amphibious transport dock, the Qilian Shan.
The LY-1 was first unveiled during the Victory Day parade in September 2025, and its recent appearance on a naval vessel confirms its deployment in real-world operations.
The LY-1 focuses laser energy on a target to heat it, damaging sensors, electronic equipment, and structural components. It is particularly effective against small drones and suicide drones. A key advantage of the LY-1 is that it does not fire ammunition; as long as power and cooling capabilities are maintained, it can repeatedly engage targets. This reduces the waste of intercepting inexpensive drones with costly surface-to-air missiles.
China has not disclosed the exact performance specifications of the LY-1. However, military industry sources and external analyses estimate its laser output to be around 180 to 250 kW, with an effective range of approximately 20 kilometers. It is vulnerable to atmospheric conditions such as fog, rain, and humidity.
The Qilian Shan, equipped with the LY-1, is a Type 071 amphibious transport dock capable of deploying large numbers of troops, landing equipment, and helicopters. In amphibious operations, the risk of exposure to enemy drones and loitering munitions is high, making the practical value of laser weapons significant. If improvements are made in output, range, and adverse weather response, the LY-1 is expected to play a crucial role in the Chinese Navy's drone defense systems. With Taiwan enhancing its drone capabilities, there is speculation that the LY-1 could be widely deployed in response.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.