Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Data for: laser light military vehicle testing

LONDON November 6, 2007: The U.S. Connection magazine Web site on the 3rd published an article that China has joined the fight for control of potential space arms race, and has concentrated development of laser anti-satellite weapons. The article also based on satellite images that captured that such weapons may be deployed in China in Hefei, Mianyang and Xinjiang three locations. But for this argument, some U.S. military experts have given a different judge.

China laser weapons research began in the 1960s

article said, back in the sixties of last century when the Chinese laser weapon on the initiation interest. Chinese laser weapon research is part of the project early ABM 640. Laser sub-project “640-3 Project” by the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics Institute is responsible for. 640-3 project aims to develop high-power laser generator, in order to intercept ballistic missiles and high-altitude spacecraft. Although China in the 1980s before and after the abolition of the 640 project, but in 1979, when it again to restart the development of laser weapons projects, and integrated into 863 high-tech development projects.

1980s, China began to study high-energy laser (HEL), and has made two major advances: free electron laser (FEL) and chemical oxygen-iodine laser (COIL), in line with anti-satellite weapon system specifications. Meanwhile, China is also developing a low-power laser systems, it is believed that the laser system able to intercept the object outside the atmosphere.

article said that in 1985, free-electron laser generator research project launched in China Academy of Engineering Physics. China’s first free-electron lasers, “Dawn One” in 1993 and successfully developed by the China Academy of Engineering Physics Southwestern design work undertaken by the Institute of Fluid Physics. Chaired the study of the linear accelerator of the University of Science and Technology of China, also in 2003, perhaps earlier, began a free-electron laser research. 1980s, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics first began the study of chemical oxygen-iodine laser. In 1993, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the chemical oxygen-iodine laser carried test results measured by the laser can kill 140 meters beyond the target.

article said, the CAS Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics have been adaptive optics and deformable mirrors research. Satellite tracking in order to achieve the target, China has also launched a number of laser ranging project. The article says, in fact, laser weapons research is conducive to the development of China’s ballistic missile program. At present, China has begun to study the concept of roll-ballistic missile, ground-based laser in order to shorten the dwell time on the airframe, to avoid destruction.

said Xinjiang Tianshan may deploy anti-satellite laser system

article said China has deployed along the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang anti-satellite laser system, the analysis of the region study to determine the possible location of the device. In addition, the site associated with China’s other high-energy laser base relationship of the study, further confirmed the high-energy laser system to have credibility.

article points out, in order to build military ground-based laser anti-satellite weapon systems, China needs to develop and deformation of optical and laser tracking system. Current indications, the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP) and the design of free-electron lasers, Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics optical equipment closely. One thing is worth noting, in Mianyang, China Academy of Engineering Physics, and Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics in Hefei. Research and development of these attacks are related to the target outside the atmosphere. Soon we will find, located in the Xinjiang Institute with the Institute of Mianyang in Hefei and the same.

The article said that only a simple survey is not sufficient to prove that China is actively promoting the implementation of anti-satellite mission of the laser weapon system. In fact, in 2006 some of the things that took place between may be able to provide the necessary evidence to describe the entire event. August 2006 and September, the U.S. government has said that China passing the laser system was aimed at the Chinese territory of U.S. satellites. Some analysts said that these incidents prove that the Chinese show their strength in the low ability of anti-satellite weapons system, while other analysts think that these may only be used for precise laser rangefinder into orbit.

article said, as China will usually target the satellite image, so this two possibilities are worth noting. On the one hand, low-intensity anti-satellite capability can show the outside world took note of China’s anti-satellite capabilities, without having to open or destructive testing; other hand, the precise determination of the anti-imaging satellite to help track the implementation of tactical intervention or fraud. Precise location data can also provide the network for the anti-satellite weapons targeting information. So, two answers will make people more believe that China is developing anti-satellite weapons.

However, the article that is more likely that these two versions of the synthesis. After all, China is indeed running a number of laser systems used to track satellites. Therefore, the satellite has been positioned by positioning or tracking facility in Xinjiang laser targeting is possible.

U.S. military experts have mixed views

article said, it is worth noting that laser-based anti-satellite weapon is not necessary to have to meet the destructive power of military use. It can be used as one of the following three: interference, blinding or destroying a satellite. Among them, destroying the satellite was most complex because it requires a large output power, high accuracy and precision optical film can be deformed to minimize the effects of the atmosphere – the same location as a satellite of the time only to see 100 seconds or so, so will these three capabilities are indispensable.

Currently, public image and the information seems to have confirmed in Xinjiang, China has deployed some of the laser anti-satellite system. These anti-satellite weapons, whether they have the power to destroy a satellite is unknown, but there are signs that this system is in place, and this system is the China Academy of Engineering Physics and Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics research, and free electron laser is quite similar. Moreover, the United States, “Global Security” Web site also believes that John Pike, president of the Tianshan Mountains may be used to more conventional anti-satellite weapons, laser guided equipment. After all, “and the destruction device with infrared guidance capability compared with its laser-guided homing device that is much simpler.”

However, the Harvard – Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) scientists Yousaf Butt has said that there is no evidence evidence of the Tianshan Mountains, “there is no destructive high-energy laser anti-satellite weapons facilities.” Laura Gray Union of Concerned Scientists also believe that the current situation is not high it is worrying, after all, China wants to develop laser anti-satellite weapons, need to “First, the tracking system (with a minimum of a ready-made, are forming a small laser and diameter with a mirror), is basically a laser ranging system; second, high-energy laser; third, to guide the laser beam to control the satellite’s high-energy mirror. “(Compiled: Spring)