By Jake Vartarian, Army War College Analyst
In November 2024, the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC)
unveiled the latest series of laser weapons designed to counter low-altitude, small unmanned
aerial systems (UASs) in their terminal phase. These new weapons have been designated the
“Light Arrow” (光箭) and “Sky Shield” (天盾) series of lasers, which comprise four distinct
systems: Light Arrow-11E Multi-mode Composite Terminal Interference System, Light Arrow-
21 Vehicle-mounted Laser Defense System, Light Arrow-24 Unmanned Intelligent Laser
Defense System, and the Sky Shield-A Portable Modular Low, Slow, Small, Defense System.
The PLA recognizes the emerging significance of loitering munitions and other
autonomous systems in modern strike warfare, as illustrated by the extensive application of such systems in the Russia-Ukraine War. Moreover, the United States’ ongoing replicator initiative conceptualizes the large-scale employment of small autonomous systems to swarm and saturate PLA air defense and missile systems in an effort to defeat or degrade the PLA’s anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities.
To this end, the Pentagon is poised to spend $1 billion on a fleet of UAVs by fiscal year 2025. In light of these developments, the PLA has likely prioritized the development of directed-energy weapons to counter autonomous threats, with CASIC having already proposedan integrated counter-UAS system of systems which incorporates high-mobility, interconnected lasers in conjunction with conventional air defense assets. The addition of the Light Arrow and Sky Shield laser weapons will provide PLA Army air defense units with new platforms that will bolster the scalability, cost-effectiveness, and lethality of its emergent counter-UAS system of systems.
Light Arrow/Sky Shield Attributes and Combat Application
The Light Arrow series of laser weapons include Light Arrow-11E, Light Arrow-21, and
Light Arrow-24 as mentioned above. Each system possesses unique attributes that respectively augment PLA terminal air-defense capabilities. For example, the Light Arrow-11E (displayed
below) offers a greater spectral range over previously acquired tactical vehicle-mounted laser
weapons like the LW-30 and LW-60. According to unit 92326 of the PLA, the Light Arrow-11E
can detect visible light, near-infrared, mid-wave infrared, long-wave infrared, and millimeter
waves, resulting in a broader scope of interference coverage against enemy UASs. The laser and power bank are mounted on the back of a Dong Feng 6×6 armored vehicle chassis, likely
offering a balance of tactical mobility and protection in complex environments. The system’s
assessed mobility makes it an optimal platform to employ for fixed and mobile defense.
Light Arrow-11E Multi-mode Composite Terminal Interference System
The primary feature of the Light Arrow-21 system is its ability to rapidly detect, track,
and neutralize UAS targets with kinetic measures. It is equipped with a phased array radar
enabling it to scan the entire airspace in 1 minute and detect and track targets at ranges exceeding 8 kilometers. Though the output power of the Light Arrow-21 is unknown, its range indicates it operates at high-energy levels, likely 30Kw or greater.
Light Arrow-21 Vehicle-mounted Laser Defense System The Light Arrow-24 is an unmanned ground vehicle-mounted laser weapon system.
Though it lacks the rapid target identification and output power of the other Light Arrow
platforms, it serves as an unmanned platform to employ alongside ground units in challenging terrain. For example, the Light Arrow-24 can function as an unmanned reconnaissance vehicle in an urban environment to detect and jam enemy small UAS’s, improving existing ISR limitations in urban terrain and enhancing ground unit survivability.
Light Arrow-24 Unmanned Intelligent Laser Defense System
Finally, the Sky Shield-A is designed to be a modular suite of man-portable equipment. It
comprises laser and electronic countermeasure components for individual-soldier deployment in various environments. The system can be customized based on user requirements, integrating various functional modules to provide units with early-warning, detection, and interdiction capabilities of low, slow, small UASs.
Sky Shield-A Portable Modular Low, Slow, Small, Defense System.
In wartime, these systems can be linked with other sensors and air defense assets enabled
by CASIC’s WarLinkz Cloud 1 -an integrated command and control architecture comparable to
the US Army’s Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS)- designed to link disparate sensors
and air defense platforms under a unified network. The US Army has conducted a successful test of its IBCS, but it is unknown if the PLA has tested the performance and effectiveness of its
WarLinkz Cloud. Nonetheless, it is evident the PLA is undertaking a similar initiative directed
towards networking distributed sensors and effectors together to counter the increasing
employment of loitering munitions and other small UASs in combat. These laser weapons can be positioned around high-value or high-payoff targets such as communication nodes, logistics dumps, and various critical infrastructure, providing the PLA with a new layer of defense.
The Outlook of Lasers in Modern Warfare
The increased acquisition and fielding of loitering munitions and other autonomous
systems en mass will consequentially change the paradigm of how war is fought. According to
researchers at the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, UAV swarm technology is an
emerging focal point of military modernization, presenting a challenge to traditional air defense systems which are incapable of effectively countering this technology. This new trend of unmanned/autonomous warfare has prompted Chinese research institutions to home in on the application of new defense technologies like laser weapon systems. Throughout history, warfare has been shaped by the continuous development of new technologies and corresponding countermeasures. As the United States is capitalizing on the mass application of loitering munitions to penetrate PLA air defense systems, the PLA in turn is developing a broad suite of laser weapons designed to hedge against this threat. These systems provide capabilities at all echelons across all levels of war. From enabling its A2/AD bubble, to defending critical operational assets, to protecting small units engaged in a close fight, PLA laser weapons provide versatile and effective solutions for countering a wide range of aerial threats. Looking ahead, it is imperative to observe how these systems are proliferated across the PLA, how they are applied in training, as well as their capabilities and vulnerabilities. By doing so, the United States can
develop effective measures to counter these systems and maintain a strategic and operational
edge.
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1 This is the public-facing name of the C2 architecture. It is unlikely that the PLA would use this nomenclature
internally.
Jake Vartanian is a military analyst at the US Army War College China Landpower Studies Center. His primary research topics include People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Army operational and tactical capabilities, PLA joint operations, and Chinese strategic landpower.
