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Stephen Chen

China’s high-power microwave (HPM) weapons can deliver an output of up to 100 gigawatts (GW), according to defence scientists – a milestone that could transform the future of warfare and stimulate advancements in civilian research and industry.
In a paper published this month in the journal High Power Laser and Particle Beams, researchers from the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT) detailed a series of advanced pulsed-power devices built by China’s military in recent years.
This is a rare public disclosure by the Chinese military of its high-power microwave arsenal.
“In recent years, driven by sustained and significant national strategic demands, China’s pulsed-power technology has advanced rapidly. The breadth and depth of research in this field now rank among the world’s foremost,” wrote the researchers, led by Zhang Jun of NUDT’s College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies.
“Pulsed-power drivers for HPM generation have transitioned from laboratory prototypes to practical applications, evolving progressively from ‘functional’ to ‘high-performance’ and ‘durable’ systems,” they wrote.
The paper could serve as a reference for other nations assessing the vulnerabilities of massive satellite constellations.
If deployed for anti-satellite purposes, these ultra-high-power microwave weapons could threaten expensive low Earth orbit satellite networks such as Starlink at an extremely low cost, particularly when such satellites take part in military activities.
It is generally acknowledged that high-power microwave pulses reaching 1 gigawatt (GW) can cause severe interference or even hardware damage to low Earth orbit satellites.


According to the paper, Chinese research institutions have developed a wide range of gigawatt-class weapons, some of which have already been delivered to users.
The most notable is a 100GW-class device made up of a number of high-power pulse generators. This system combines multiple pulses to generate an unprecedented high-power output, with potential for further scaling.
“Achieving tens of gigawatts of HPM output within strict space and weight constraints represents a critical future direction for HPM technology,” Zhang’s team wrote.
But because of limits such as insulation issues, single pulsed-power drivers cannot produce enough energy to meet growing demand.
“Synchronising multiple compact pulsed-power modules enables each unit to operate at peak efficiency while maximising its power-to-weight ratio,” they wrote.
“NUDT has developed a 100GW-class ultra-high-power pulsed power system based on this methodology.”
The other devices described in the paper, such as all-solid-state pulsed systems, use different approaches to adapt to diverse operational environments and requirements.
The paper also highlights the systemic innovations behind these breakthroughs, such as a new lithium-ion capacitor hybrid system capable of instant activation at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit) while continuously supplying robust power.
This can dramatically improve the operational responsiveness of China’s electronic warfare troops during winter and polar conditions.
The paper signals China’s growing confidence as a leader in this field.
Other nations seeking to match China’s progress face steep hurdles, including industrial decline, reduced research and development investment, and restricted access to critical materials such as rare earths.
According to the paper, future research priorities include improving energy beam control precision and reducing system size and cost.


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Defence scientists say the technology could threaten low Earth orbit satellite networks such as Starlink at an extremely low cost


Defence scientists say the technology could threaten low Earth orbit satellite networks such as Starlink at an extremely low cost.


China unveils high-power microwave weapon arsenal with up to 100 gigawatts of power

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Defence scientists say the technology could threaten low Earth orbit satellite networks such as Starlink at an extremely low cost

Defence scientists say the technology could threaten low Earth orbit satellite networks such as Starlink at an extremely low cost