OW5 vs ZM-87: Specs Compared

FORCETALLY

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ACounter-drone & directed energy

OW5

Directed-energy weapon

BCounter-drone & directed energy

ZM-87

Laser weapon

First system

Second system

Measured figures

Head to head

4 of 9 rows sourced on both sides

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35kgWeight (without battery)

Mass

All recorded figures & sources

35 kg

Weight (without battery)

Single source

Weight (without battery): 35 kilograms (77 lb)^[source]ZM-87 · Data · Weight (without battery): 35 kilograms (77 lb)

Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.

Configuration

Details

OW5 and ZM-87 configuration
Specification	OW5	ZM-87
Range	—	Maximum range (blinding): 2 to 3 kilometres (1.2 to 1.9 mi) (5 km or 3.1 mi if a 7× magnifying optic is used)^[source]ZM-87 · Data · Maximum range (blinding): 2 to 3 kilometres (1.2 to 1.9 mi) (5 km or 3.1 mi if a 7× magnifying optic is used) Maximum range (temporary blinding): 10 km (6.2 mi)^[source]ZM-87 · Data · Maximum range (temporary blinding): 10 km (6.2 mi)
Type	Directed-energy weapon^[source]	Laser weapon^[source]
Place of origin	China^[source]	China^[source]
Role	Chinese ground-based high-energy laser weapon

Source measurement	The variant designation denotes the laser's rated power—the OW5-A50 is rated at 50-kilowatt^[source]OW5 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The particular version unveiled in September 2025 was the OW5-A10 variant, which fires a 10-kilowatt laser and is mounted on a Dongfeng Mengshi platform, and the OW5-A50, which is mounted on 8×8 heavy wheeled truck chassis.^[source]OW5 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage	Power output: 15 mW , 5 pulses per second, at two wavelengths.^[source]ZM-87 · Data; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum range (blinding): 2 to 3 kilometres (1.2 to 1.9 mi) (5 km or 3.1 mi if a 7× magnifying optic is used)^[source]ZM-87 · Data; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum range (temporary blinding): 10 km (6.2 mi)^[source]ZM-87 · Data; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Weight (without battery): 35 kilograms (77 lb)^[source]ZM-87 · Data; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage A battery supplies a portable electric energy converter which through a cable feeds a beam emitter 84 cm (33 in) long mounted on a tripod . It has a gunsight . It resembles a heavy machine gun . A portable variant was also produced, resembling a QBZ-95 bullpup assault rifle with a telescopic sight attached.^[source]ZM-87 · Data; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Source measurement

The variant designation denotes the laser's rated power—the OW5-A50 is rated at 50-kilowatt^[source]OW5 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The particular version unveiled in September 2025 was the OW5-A10 variant, which fires a 10-kilowatt laser and is mounted on a Dongfeng Mengshi platform, and the OW5-A50, which is mounted on 8×8 heavy wheeled truck chassis.^[source]OW5 · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Power output: 15 mW , 5 pulses per second, at two wavelengths.^[source]ZM-87 · Data; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Maximum range (blinding): 2 to 3 kilometres (1.2 to 1.9 mi) (5 km or 3.1 mi if a 7× magnifying optic is used)^[source]ZM-87 · Data; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Maximum range (temporary blinding): 10 km (6.2 mi)^[source]ZM-87 · Data; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Weight (without battery): 35 kilograms (77 lb)^[source]ZM-87 · Data; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

A battery supplies a portable electric energy converter which through a cable feeds a beam emitter 84 cm (33 in) long mounted on a tripod . It has a gunsight . It resembles a heavy machine gun . A portable variant was also produced, resembling a QBZ-95 bullpup assault rifle with a telescopic sight attached.^[source]ZM-87 · Data; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Country of origin	China^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 7, row 21, cell 4; revision 1373722962; retrieved 2026-10-02 China^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 7, row 22, cell 4; revision 1373722962; retrieved 2026-10-02	China^[source]Inventory Country of origin column; table 2, row 51, cell 2; revision 1371897331; retrieved 2026-10-01

Country of origin

China^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 7, row 21, cell 4; revision 1373722962; retrieved 2026-10-02

China^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 7, row 22, cell 4; revision 1373722962; retrieved 2026-10-02

China^[source]Inventory Country of origin column; table 2, row 51, cell 2; revision 1371897331; retrieved 2026-10-01

Source manufacturer statement	—	Roughly 22 of the devices were produced by the company Norinco before production ceased in 2000 as a result of the 1995 United Nations Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons ban.^[source]Only the subject, component or variant named in this passage; unresolved names do not create a manufacturer identity