On July 21, 2025, during a live demonstration in Inner Mongolia, China's defense giant NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) unveiled its new OW5-A50 laser air defense system.
This system is the latest and most powerful in the OW5 series, boasting a 50-kilowatt laser output. This power is sufficient to cause a thermal effect that can burn or melt target components within seconds, making it effective against drones, helicopters, and low-flying mortar rounds.
The system is mounted on an 8x8 heavy-duty truck and operates entirely independently in terms of power generation. It features an internal generator that charges its battery units, eliminating the need for external power sources.
The OW5-A50 can fire a continuous laser beam for three minutes, with a cooling period of no more than eight seconds between each firing. This makes it ideal for handling repeated attacks or "saturation attacks" involving drone swarms.
The system relies on a suite of multispectral sensors, including infrared, visible light, and radar, enabling it to detect, classify, and neutralize small, slow targets like drones and loitering munitions up to 5 kilometers away. It also incorporates electronic jamming systems capable of disrupting drone communications at ranges up to 10 kilometers, providing a dual capability for both disruption and destruction.
The OW5-A50 represents a natural evolution of previous Chinese laser systems, such as the Silent Hunter, which was first showcased at the 2016 G20 Summit and later exported to Saudi Arabia and Russia. Footage from Russian media has shown the Silent Hunter being used in Ukraine by Russian special units, providing China with valuable field data for further developing its defensive technologies.
Global interest in defensive laser systems is rapidly increasing, especially after low-cost drones proved their effectiveness in recent conflicts like the Russo-Ukrainian War. As the price of offensive drones decreases, traditional air-to-ground defense systems like missiles become cost-ineffective. Consequently, nations are investing in directed energy weapons, which offer a rapid and precise response at a low operational cost.
With the OW5-A50 system, China aims to solidify its position in the global laser weapons market. The system has already been displayed at international defense exhibitions, including IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi and the Zhuhai Airshow. These systems are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of air defense.
