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.
(Score: 2) by LVDOVICVS on Thursday July 05 2018, @09:02PM (2 children)
Ok, so now I want to build this: not only a fly-killing laser (a little more power - better dead than blind-ed), but I want it to have a tracking system for aiming. This is gonna take some googling.
(Score: 4, Funny) by frojack on Thursday July 05 2018, @09:10PM
A blinded fly may be better than a dead fly.
A dead fly is just fly food.
A blinded fly takes two other flys to carry it off of the battle field.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 2) by suburbanitemediocrity on Friday July 06 2018, @01:45AM
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hot-Random-Color-2-In-1-Red-Laser-Pointer-Pen-Funny-LED-Light-For-Pet-Cat-Toy-UP/332516110172?epid=20012825685&hash=item4d6b812f5c:g:CREAAOSwgLlaUyuh [ebay.com]
TBH, there was not much building involved. You can buy much more powerful lasers, but I only had $1 and wanted to keep it relatively safe. I've been hit in the eye with a laser before and even at 1mw, it is not fun. I'd strongly recommend safety glasses.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Eye-Safety-Protection-Glasses-Goggles-for-Red-Laser-New/253491525215?hash=item3b0545b65f:g:VbsAAOSwXkNadCl9 [ebay.com]