China Installs Laser Weapon On Its Type 071 Amphibious Assault Ship

A Chinese Type 071 amphibious transport dock has been spotted with a newly installed laser-directed energy weapon system after a recent refit. The finding indicates China’s growing interest in laser weaponry, similar to global developments in other countries, especially the United States.

In a photo circulating on social media, the laser weapon can be seen positioned just behind the ship’s 76mm dual-purpose gun on the bow.

The vessel’s identity is still unknown. However, reports say it could be the Siming Shan (986) or the Yimeng Shan (988). The weapon remains hidden by a massive dome-like cover when not in use.

The installation appears to designate the Type 071 as a test platform for the laser weapon, perhaps opening the way for similar systems to be deployed on future Chinese warships.

The Type 071 amphibious transport dock, weighing around 25,000 tons, has been a valuable asset to the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). It offers capabilities similar to those of the US San Antonio (LPD-17) class ships.

It has a small flight deck, a hangar capacity for four Z-8 heavy transport helicopters, and can transport up to 60 armoured vehicles and 800 personnel.

China’s move replicates the United States Navy’s efforts, particularly the Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD) Mk 2 Mod 0 installed on the USS Portland, a San Antonio-class landing platform dock.

The LWSD successfully downed a small drone in May 2020. While the Chinese system’s exact capabilities are unknown, it will likely be used for similar purposes, such as defending against unmanned aircraft and small boat swarms, visually impaired optical sensors, and surveillance.

Other US laser programs include the High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system, installed on the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Preble, as well as the less powerful AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System (LaWS), previously deployed on the USS Ponce.

These systems represent major advances in naval defense, offering multi-purpose capabilities for engaging numerous threats.

The PLAN’s new laser system could be called a dazzler, similar to lower-power systems already used in China. These dazzlers were used against maritime patrol aircraft from Australia and the United States.

The United States Navy views these advancements as an initial step toward more powerful laser weapons capable of combating more challenging threats, such as cruise missiles and aircraft.

The newest advancements in China indicate that the PLAN shares a similar objective to bolster its naval warfare capabilities.

Reference: The War Zone

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Source: Maritime Shipping News