How Powerful Is China's New OW5-A50 Laser Air Defense System Against Drone Swarms For Support HQ-9 and HQ-16 Systems

In a bold show of military innovation, China has tested its most powerful laser air defense system yet — the OW5-A50, designed specifically to counter drone swarms and loitering munitions. The live demonstration, held on July 21, 2025, at a military testing ground in Inner Mongolia, marked a significant step in China’s push toward directed-energy weapons as a futuristic layer of protection for critical assets.

Developed by China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO), the OW5-A50 is not just another air defense unit — it’s a mobile laser cannon that uses pure energy to burn drones out of the sky. Mounted on a massive 8×8 wheeled truck, the weapon fired its 50-kilowatt laser in live tests, zapping enemy drones mid-air within seconds. The system doesn’t fire bullets or missiles. Instead, it uses a focused high-energy laser beam to melt internal components of UAVs, effectively causing them to crash without explosions — and without spending a single shell.

What makes this system even more striking is its speed and accuracy. Footage released by Chinese media showed the OW5-A50 locking onto multiple targets one after the other, switching targets in as little as two seconds, and neutralizing them seamlessly. This makes it ideal for “saturation attacks” — scenarios where dozens of small drones attempt to overwhelm conventional defenses.

According to NORINCO experts, the OW5-A50 operates using onboard electrical power, with battery modules charged by its own integrated generator, meaning it can function without external energy sources. Once activated, the laser can stay on for up to three minutes, with just a short eight-second cooldown between firings — perfect for high-frequency engagements.

The OW5-A50 is the top-end model in NORINCO’s OW5 laser series, which also includes the OW5-A10 (10kW) and OW5-A30 (30kW). It carries a multispectral sensor suite, including infrared, visible light, and radar, allowing it to detect and classify even small, slow, low-flying threats like FPV drones, loitering munitions, and possibly even mortar rounds. The truck also features electronic warfare jammers capable of disrupting drone communications up to 10 kilometers away, giving it a double punch: disable or destroy.

In a more dramatic demonstration of China’s integrated battlefield approach, NORINCO also showcased a simulation involving drones, loitering munitions, helicopters, and AI-enabled systems working together in a digital “OODA loop” — observe, orient, decide, and act. The OW5-A50 served as the last line of defense, backing up missile systems like the HQ-9 and HQ-16, in case anything slipped through.

China’s defense industry has been steadily pushing laser weapons into the global spotlight. Earlier systems like CETC’s Silent Hunter, which made headlines during the 2016 G20 summit and was later exported to Saudi Arabia, laid the groundwork. The newer OW5-A50 offers higher power, better mobility, and longer sustained operations — making it China’s boldest bid yet to enter the global directed-energy weapons market.

In terms of cost, NORINCO says the OW5-A50 is significantly cheaper per shot compared to traditional missile systems. A single “laser shot” costs just a few yuan, making it extremely economical when used against low-cost drones, a problem growing worldwide. The system has reportedly already been tested in over 110 drone engagements, according to promotional materials.

Export-wise, NORINCO has already shown off the OW5-A50 in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE, and showcased it at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow and IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi. It's being marketed under NORINCO’s SkyShield label, which includes a broader family of directed-energy and air defense technologies.

While the system’s ability to take on mortars or helicopters remains unproven in real combat, its performance against drones has already been documented on camera and aired by Chinese state media. That alone sends a clear message: China is not just experimenting with laser weapons — it’s ready to deploy them.

In a world increasingly threatened by cheap, expendable drones, systems like the OW5-A50 are emerging as game-changing tools. If NORINCO's export push succeeds, this laser truck may soon become a familiar sight — not just in China, but on battlefields around the world.