China preparing to deploy anti-satellite laser weapon by 2020 to target U.S. space-based assets

The Pentagon says that the Chinese military is preparing to deploy an anti-satellite laser weapon that can be used against American satellites and those of Western powers operating in low orbit by 2020.

According to a Defense Intelligence Agency report on emerging space threats, the Chinese â€œASATâ€ weapon will be capable of either damaging or destroying targeted satellites, the Washington Free Beacon reported.

The directed energy weapon is one of several designed for use against space-based targets including ground-based ASAT missiles, cyber attacks, electronic jammers, and small â€˜hunter-killerâ€™ satellites that the Chinese plan to use against U.S. satellites in any future conflict, the DIA report says.