Whilst everyone’s making jokes on Trump’s announcement of a Space Force, the Chinese appear to have a jumpstart in what appears to be the latest Space race ever since Ronald Reagan announced his “Star Wars” initiative in the 1980s. The Chinese claim that that they have a laser rifle that can cause trouble to those that it targets

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reports that the rifle, the ZKZM-500, is a non- lethal laser, but can cause “instant carboniszation” of human skin and tissue. It weights the same as AK-47 rifle, though it does not look like those sleek laser blasters that we see in sci-fi movies. The laser is invisible and can go through glass windows.

With a range of 800 metres, the ZKZM-500 can burn through clothing and if the target is unfortunate to wear flammable clothing, can be set on fire. It’s powered by rechargeable lithium batteries and can fire 1,000 shots, with each shot not lasting no more than 2 seconds.  A prototype of the laser rifle was developed by the Xian Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shaanxi province.

Image: External view of the ZKZM-500 Laser Gun

According to the SCMP, the rifle is now ready for production at a cost of 100,000 yuan each and units that will first receive them are the anti-terror squads of the Chinese Armed Police.

China tinkering with laser weapons is not exactly new. Before the ZKM-500 there have been prototypes of laser rifles being designed for the Chinese PLA. Also, reports of U.S. pilots being shined with laser lights from suspected Chinese sources in Africa and East Asia. On two occasions, minor injuries were caused to two C-130 pilots in Djibouti where which China also has a military base.

The only thing that that is missing when the ZKZM-500 gets released to the units, is e a new set of uniforms that will make Emperor Palpatine proud.

Top photo: Chinese soldier with WJG-2002 laser weapon  (Source: China Military Online)