China Develops Laser Defense System To Shoot Down Small Drones

China has successfully tested a laser defense system capable of shooting down small scale drones within a two kilometer radius in five seconds after locating the target, Xinhua news agency reported Sunday.

The drone defense system can destroy small-scale drones flying within an altitude of 500 meters and at speeds below 50 meters per second, the agency cited a statement published by the China Academy of Engineering Physics.

According to the academy, the system is designed to provide heightened security at major events. These include international conferences, sporting events and political meetings. Based on the testing carried out, the laser system indicated 100 percent success.

"Intercepting such drones is usually the work of snipers and helicopters, but their success rate is not as high and mistakes with accuracy can result in unwanted damage," Yi Jinsong, of the team leading the project was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

Jinsong added that small-scale unmanned drones were a likely choice for terrorists because they were cheap and easy to use.