China Unveils 100-Gigawatt Microwave Weapons, Raising Satellite Concerns

China's defence scientists have presented information on the nation's high power microwave weapons, stating outputs reach up to 100 gigawatts. This disclosure details advanced pulsed power devices developed by the Chinese military, according to a recent paper.

Photo: Xinhua

The National University of Defence Technology, known as NUDT, published this information in the journal *High Power Laser and Particle Beams*. Researchers provided details on a series of advanced pulsed power devices, which China's military has built in recent years. This marks a rare public disclosure by the Chinese military regarding its high power microwave arsenal, offering insight into their capabilities.

The researchers, led by Zhang Jun from NUDT's College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, stated that China's pulsed power technology has seen rapid advancement, driven by national strategic demands. Its research breadth and depth are now among the world's foremost. But pulsed power drivers for high power microwave generation have moved from laboratory prototypes to practical use, evolving from functional to high performance and durable systems.

This paper could provide a reference for other nations to assess the vulnerabilities of large satellite constellations. High power microwave weapons, if deployed for anti satellite purposes, could pose a threat to low Earth orbit satellite networks like Starlink. This applies especially when such satellites are involved in military activities. These weapons could cause interference or hardware damage at a low financial cost.

Generally, high power microwave pulses reaching 1 gigawatt are acknowledged to cause severe interference or physical damage to low Earth orbit satellites. According to the paper, Chinese research institutions have created a wide range of gigawatt class weapons. And some of these systems have already been delivered to end users, indicating operational readiness.

The most significant device detailed is a 100 gigawatt class system. This comprises multiple high power pulse generators. The system functions by combining various pulses to produce a high power output, allowing for future increases in scale and capacity. Zhang's team noted that achieving tens of gigawatts of high power microwave output within strict space and weight limits represents a crucial future direction for this technology.

However, individual pulsed power drivers face limitations, such as insulation issues. These constraints prevent single drivers from producing enough energy to meet increasing operational demands. So, synchronising multiple compact pulsed power modules allows each unit to operate at peak efficiency. This method also maximises its power to weight ratio, overcoming inherent restrictions.

NUDT has developed a 100 gigawatt class ultra high power pulsed power system using this exact methodology. Other devices described in the publication include all solid state pulsed systems. These employ different approaches to suit various operational environments and specific requirements, indicating a diverse range of applications.

The paper also highlights systemic advancements behind these breakthroughs. For instance, a new lithium ion capacitor hybrid system is mentioned. This system can activate instantly at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius, while continuously supplying robust power. And this capability significantly improves the responsiveness of China's electronic warfare troops in winter and polar conditions.

This publication signals China's increasing confidence as a leader within this specialised field. Other nations attempting to match China's progress confront considerable obstacles. These include industrial decline, reduced investment in research and development, and restricted availability of critical materials such as rare earths.

According to the SCMP report, future research priorities outlined in the paper involve improving the precision of energy beam control. Furthermore, reducing both the overall system size and its associated cost are identified as key objectives. But the primary focus remains on refining the existing high power microwave technology for broader deployment and effectiveness.

• China's military has disclosed details of high power microwave weapons.

• The National University of Defence Technology published research on these advanced pulsed power devices.

• One notable system achieves a 100 gigawatt output, combining multiple pulse generators.

• These weapons could threaten low Earth orbit satellite networks, including Starlink, at low cost.

• Future development aims to enhance beam control precision, reduce system size, and lower costs.

Source: SCMP