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posted by mrpg on Thursday July 05 2018, @06:21PM   Printer-friendly
from the game-on dept.

China Claims to Have a Laser Assault Rifle That Can Set Clothes on Fire

China allegedly has a "laser assault rifle" that can fire a thousand shots at a time, "carbonizing" human skin and tissue.

The ZKZM-500 laser assault rifle, profiled in the South China Morning Post, is described as a laser wonder weapon. The article raises more questions than it answers, though Beijing's research into laser weapons is particularly pertinent given recent allegations that Chinese military personnel have injured U.S. military personnel with high-powered lasers.

According to the report, the ZKZM-500 is a handheld laser assault rifle. Unlike ordinary sleek assault rifles, this weapon is a clunky rectangular shape with a pistol grip, foregrip, and a telescopic sight. The weapon is powered by a lithium battery capable of supplying power for up to a thousand two-second shots.

[...] [It's] difficult to believe this weapon is as powerful as advertised. Although the article discusses the weapon's burning effects in detail, the ZKZM-500's wattage is conveniently left out. [...] Power storage is another problem. The ZKZM-500 can reportedly fire a thousand two-second shots, the equivalent of 33 minutes of laser power, from a "lithium battery." There's no way a weapon the size of a rifle can store that much energy internally given today's technology, even if it were stuffed with batteries. To store the equivalent of 33 minutes of laser power would require a considerable power supply outside the rifle itself.


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  • (Score: 2) by realDonaldTrump on Thursday July 05 2018, @07:58PM (1 child)

    by realDonaldTrump (6614) on Thursday July 05 2018, @07:58PM (#703191) Homepage Journal

    And for submarines. Space ship, very foolish to use the regular gun. Because it may make a hole in the hull. So you use ray gun. You shoot a guy with ray gun, now he's blind. Very safe, no holes. Except in the eyes. My Space Force will have the best ray guns. 100% American!!!

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  • (Score: 2) by Arik on Thursday July 05 2018, @08:14PM

    by Arik (4543) on Thursday July 05 2018, @08:14PM (#703200) Journal
    "Because it may make a hole in the hull"

    No. No no no.

    If your hull can't resist small arms fire what do you think will happen in rough seas?

    But ricochets can be a big worry under decks.
    --
    If laughter is the best medicine, who are the best doctors?