Chinese researchers have reportedly developed a new high-power microwave (HPM) weapon with electromagnetic energy equivalent to that released by a nuclear explosion. Relatively compact, this weapon could revolutionize military operations against drones and satellites.
Although this microwave weapon is still in the development phase and has not been tested in the field, such technologies are capable of causing significant damage and even destroying electronic components, which makes these weapons extremely valuable for modern military strategies.
Numerous countries are developing similar weapons, and the United States is reportedly planning to deploy such systems in the Indo-Pacific region. It is reported that the aim would be to neutralize Chinese satellites in the event of a conflict between the two superpowers.
Typically, HPMs use antennas with multiple degrees of rotation to track targets. However, the new Chinese technology uses phased array transmission, which allows: precise focus of energy, increasing range and destructive effects; and simultaneous attacks on several targets, which is a significant strategic advantage, potrivit Interesting Engineering.
Challenges and technological innovations brought by the new microwave weapon of the Chinese
Phased array transmission has long been considered unstable, but Chinese researchers claim to have overcome these limitations. According to the team from the National Changsha University of Defense Technology and the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology in Xian: the system produces rotating electromagnetic waves converted to more stable states; a unique power divider, the size of a household fan, has been developed that distributes the waves into eight independent channels for the phased array antennas; the weapon can generate electromagnetic fields of 80,000 volts per meter, comparable to the electromagnetic pulses produced by nuclear explosions.
The splitter has been tested over 5,000 times at full power with no significant damage. Also, the operational efficiency has reached 96.6%, and its capacity threshold can exceed 1 GW. During testing, the weapon emitted electromagnetic pulses in the Ku band, used by satellites such as those in the Starlink network.
Military implications
Commercial satellites, such as those from Starlink, use electronic components that can be vulnerable to HPM attacks because they are not made to military standards. Given their use in theaters of war such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Chinese military is developing dedicated anti-satellite weapons to counter such networks.
If the claims of Chinese researchers are correct, this technology may mark a significant leap in military capabilities. Gigawatt-level microwave weapons can target both drones and low-orbit satellites, providing a considerable tactical advantage in modern conflicts. However, practical implementation and field tests will determine the real viability of this innovation.
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Source: www.descopera.ro
