China Reveals Its 100 GW Microwave Weapon: It's Not a Prototype, It's Already in Use

China has made public new details about the development of its high-power microwave (HPM) weapons, describing systems capable of reaching power levels up to 100 gigawatts. The documentation provides a rare insight into the technologies developed for military applications and dedicated to electronic warfare and operations against satellites.

The information appeared in the scientific journal High Power Laser and Particle Beams through a study conducted by researchers from the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) and reported by the South China Morning Post. According to the authors, the Chinese program has now surpassed the prototype phase and has reached practical applications in military contexts.

"In recent years, driven by consistent and significant national strategic needs, Chinese power impulse technology has made rapid progress. The breadth and depth of research in this field are now among the most important in the world," reads the statement shared by researchers led by Zhang Jun from the College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies at NUDT.

Among the described projects is a 100 GW microwave system, achieved by connecting multiple high-power pulse generators within the same platform. The synchronization of the modules allows for overcoming the technical limitations of individual generators, such as electrical insulation issues, and increases overall power without compromising the balance between performance, weight, and size.

"The synchronization of multiple compact pulsed power modules allows each unit to operate at maximum efficiency, while simultaneously optimizing the power-to-weight ratio. NUDT has developed a 'ultra-high-power pulsed' system of class 100 GW based on this methodology," explained the researchers.

The study also describes fully solid-state systems, designed to meet different operational needs. According to the researchers, microwave pulses of 1 GW are already sufficient to cause severe interference or damage to electronic components installed on satellites in low Earth orbit. A platform capable of developing significantly higher power could therefore pose a threat to large satellite constellations used for military purposes.

The authors also claim that some Chinese institutions have already developed microwave weapons in the gigawatt range and that some of these systems have been delivered to end users. The study also dedicates space to supporting technologies. Among these is a hybrid system based on lithium-ion capacitors, capable of functioning immediately even at -40 °C and ensuring continuous power supply. A feature that, according to the researchers, could improve the operational readiness of units dedicated to electronic warfare, even in environments characterized by particularly cold temperatures.

The document also clarifies the direction of future development. The goal is to refine the control of the energy beam, while the size and costs of the systems need to decrease. Finally, researchers believe that other countries may face greater difficulties in closing the technological gap due to lesser industrial capacity, more limited investments in research, and limited availability of essential materials, such as rare earth elements.