Optical weapon in the September 3rd military parade: from precise sniping to unmanned combat
On Tiananmen Square, the light of new weapons and equipment comes not only from metal shells, but also from those sophisticated optics System, they are quietly changing the rules of the future battlefield.
On September 3, 2025, the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti Fascist War was held in Beijing. This is after the National Day parade in 2019 The centralized appearance of the new generation of weapons and equipment of our army All reviewed equipment are domestic active main battle equipment.
The parade showed a large number of weapons and equipment with high informatization and intelligence, among which a variety of cutting-edge optical technologies and photoelectric applications became highlights.
01 Intelligent ammunition: optical technology precision guidance
The intelligent ammunition developed by Norinco Group was conspicuous in this parade. Red Arrow series anti tank missile family, Blue Arrow series helicopter borne/unmanned air to ground missile, patrol missile and aviation ammunition, etc Intelligent ammunition , covering multiple types such as ground, air, ship and information countermeasures.
Most of these intelligent munitions use optical guidance technology, which can accurately identify and attack targets in complex environments. The optical guidance system provides“ No matter after launch ”The combat efficiency and survivability have been greatly improved.
02 Unmanned optical “eyes”
During the parade, a series of unmanned intelligence and anti unmanned equipment on land, at sea and in the air were displayed. These unmanned platforms highly rely on advanced optical systems for environment awareness, target recognition and path planning.
Developed by NORINCO Unmanned armored vehicle It has excellent combat adaptability, and can carry out tasks in complex environments with tanks and other main battle equipment. The optical sensors used by these unmanned platforms include high-resolution cameras, infrared thermal imagers and laser radars.
Unmanned equipment such as medium and high altitude long endurance UAVs and surveillance and strike integrated UAVs also appeared on the parade ground, and their equipped photoelectric reconnaissance equipment can realize Continuous monitoring day and night To provide real-time battlefield intelligence for the rear command center.
03 Optical application in anti unmanned system
In response to the growing threat of unmanned aerial vehicles, the parade displayed a variety of anti unmanned equipment. Light air defense missiles, missile gun integrated air defense systems Laser weapon All of them appeared without equipment.
As a new type of anti unmanned equipment, directed energy weapons (such as laser weapons) rely on precision optical systems Accurate targeting and energy focusing , can quickly and silently destroy the incoming UAV.
These laser weapon systems use complex optical lenses and mirrors to focus the laser beam, causing devastating damage to the target. They have the advantages of low cost, fast response and high accuracy.
04 Photoelectric reconnaissance and countermeasure system
New forces such as network electronic warfare and electronic jamming system also appeared in the parade. These systems include high-end optoelectronic applications for reconnaissance, surveillance and jamming of enemy optical equipment.
Relying on high-performance optical lens and image sensor, the photoelectric reconnaissance system can realize Ultra distant observation And identification. In the electronic jamming system, optical technology is also used to jam the enemy’s photoelectric equipment and guidance system.
Norinco has advanced technologies in the field of photoelectric information. Its photomultiplier tubes, optical materials, laser wind detection radar and other technologies have been applied in the civilian field. The military application versions of these technologies are likely to appear in this parade.
05 Optical progress in individual equipment
Although the press conference did not mention the individual optical equipment in detail, it can be inferred from the technical reserves of the Weapons Industry Group that the individual weapon system of our army is also equipped with advanced optical aiming equipment.
Modern sight has developed from simple optical observation equipment to Intelligent integrated system 。 For example, Israel SMASH 2000 smart sight can not only calculate the aiming point, but also have the functions of laser accurate ranging, auxiliary target locking and image recording transmission.
These advanced sights use the “Binden sighting concept”, which can automatically adjust the magnification according to the movement state of the weapon, greatly improving the shooting accuracy and reaction speed.
The September 3rd Parade shows not only weapons, but also Integration of optical technology and intelligence Results. From the “eyes” of UAVs to the “focus” of laser weapons, these optical systems are reshaping the future battlefield.
Today, 80 years later, the People’s Army has developed from “no guns, no guns, we make our own” to a new stage of “no high-tech, we develop our own”. Behind those precision lenses and sensors, there is a flash of Chinese military intelligence.