Scientists in China have developed a prototype laser assault rifle reminiscent in size of an AK-47. This groundbreaking advancement is identified as the ZKZM-500, marking a significant leap in high-tech weaponry. 

(Photo : Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

Marking a Significant Leap in Chinese Weaponry 

Researchers in China have created a prototype laser assault rifle with similar dimensions to an AK-47. According to CNET, this cutting-edge firearm is named the ZKZM-500.

The ZKZM-500 is said to have the capability to ignite a person using lasers. It's claimed that from distances of up to 800 meters (approximately half a mile), the rifle has the potential to burn through both clothing and skin and if the clothing is flammable, it could set the target ablaze.

The rifle weighs approximately 3 kilograms (6.6 lbs.) and features a 15-millimeter caliber. It derives its power from rechargeable lithium batteries, enabling up to 1,000 zaps with 2 seconds between each discharge. This distinction highlights the unique nature of the laser rifle's effects.

Despite these specifications, recent information from a document published on the Public Service Platform for National Civil-Military Integration suggests the weapon's classification as "non-lethal" since the laser rifle does not have the same consequences as traditional firearms.

Production of Laser Rifle in China

Propelled by a rechargeable lithium battery pack similar to the ones used in smartphones, the rifles can release an energy beam that the naked eye cannot see. The rifle is capable of discharging over 1,000 zaps, with each burst not exceeding a two-second interval, and embodies impressive power.

South China Morning Post reported that ZKZM Laser, an arm of the Xian Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, made this technology, and the prototype is already ready for mass production for China's police and military only.

In a strategic move, ZKZM Laser reportedly acknowledged their quest for collaboration with entities possessing weapons production licenses or a foothold in the security and defense sector.

However, it reportedly has not found a licensed partner yet. It aims to initiate large-scale manufacturing, pricing each unit at 100,000 yuan (US$15,000).

Also Read: Chinese Military Think Tank Urges Swift Laser Weapons Development to Match US Anti-Drone Tech

Pain Inflicted by the Chinese Laser Rifle

The agony is projected to exceed the limits of human endurance, as described by the researcher who actively contributed to the prototype's evolution and subsequent field trials at the Xian Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics within the Chinese Academy of Sciences located in Shaanxi province.

If a hostage scenario were to arise, it could shoot through windows to incapacitate kidnappers momentarily, allowing additional units to initiate a rescue operation for the hostages.

Additionally, its applicability extends to clandestine military endeavors. The energy beam boasts the capacity to penetrate a gas tank, potentially triggering a conflagration within a military airfield's fuel storage site.

Notably, as the laser has been meticulously calibrated to an undetectable frequency and operates in absolute silence, an unnamed researcher told the Post that the origin of the assault would remain concealed, resembling an unintended incident. Given the delicate nature of the undertaking, the scientist opted for anonymity.

Related Article: Chinese Military Think Tank Urges Swift Laser Weapons Development to Match US Anti-Drone Tech