China’s new high-power microwave ( HPM) weapons have the potential to revolutionize electronic warfare, overcoming US advances in aircraft and storage capabilities, and closing the power gap between their ships.
Chinese scientists have made a major milestone in developing a small HPM tool that can produce electric pulses similar to those of a nuclear explosion, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP ) this fortnight.
SCMP says this weapon, however in lab testing, can destroy or eliminate electrical components within foe systems. It mentions that the joint effort between a joint staff from the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology in Xian and the National University of Defence Technology in Changsha overcame the difficulty of preventing the tool from self-destructing as a result of its powerful pulse.
According to the statement, the tool uses phased-array tranny technology to specifically target energy, increase its range and damage effects, and make parallel attacks on several targets. During testing, the crossbow withstood over 5, 000 full-power signal emissions without break, maintaining a great operating performance of 96.6 %.
The US government, which intends to deploy HPM weapons in the Indo-Pacific region, is cited by SCMP as a reason China is developing this weapon as part of its efforts to combat potential threats from US troops.
It notes that the People’s Liberation Army ( PLA ) is also pursuing anti-satellite capabilities, targeting communication satellites like Starlink, which played a significant role in the Ukraine war. It claims that this development advances China’s military technology and strengthens its corporate capabilities in electric warfare.
China’s new advancements in HPM weapons demonstrate its focus on these systems as a means of combating aircraft swarms, which the US is constantly developing through its Replicator program, which aims to speed the pitching of obsolete weather, sea, and land drone systems.
Far from China’s HPM weapons being simple lab experiments, The War Zone reported in November 2024 that during that month’s Zhuhai Airshow, China unveiled numerous HPM systems designed to activate drones and other underwater threats.
The War Zone mentions that the showcased HPM weapons, developed by state-run firms China South Industries Group Corporation ( CSGC ) and Norinco,  , include a large planar array mounted on an 8×8 light armored vehicle chassis and a more extensive system installed on a Shacman SX2400/2500-series 8×8 truck.
Both systems have radar, according to the report, which enables them to use their large beams to intercept and track targets while simultaneously engaging multiple threats.
HPM weapons can be used to defeat a variety of goals, including LEO satellites and swarming robots. They can destroy digital systems without apparent harm, are cost-effective, and are flexible for various platforms. Their broad beam makes it possible to simultaneously engage multiple targets.
However, they face challenges, including low efficiency, high energy consumption, and limited atmospheric range. Their large size also limits the scope of deployment.
Nevertheless, China may be working to solve the size and power limitations of its HPM weapons. For instance, in February 2024, Asia Times reported that Chinese scientists had unveiled a groundbreaking HPM weapon powered by Stirling engines, marking a significant advancement in directed-energy warfare technology.
This weapon, created by a team from the National University of Defense Technology, effectively converts thermal energy into mechanical energy using four compact Stirling closed-cycle heat engines. It drives HPM waves capable of disabling drones, military aircraft, and satellites.
The superconducting coil of the weapon has a four telas magnetic field, which is significantly lower than the energy consumption of current technologies. The weapon can operate continuously for four hours, only consuming 20 % of the energy required by current technologies, according to initial tests.
China’s progress on HPM weapons could also enable them to be mounted on ship-based point defense against anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles, offering a feasible alternative to interceptor missiles, naval guns, railguns, and lasers.  ,
In a May 2021 Proceedings article, James Winnefield mentions that HPMs can engage multiple targets simultaneously, operate at the speed of light, and produce near-instantaneous effects on electronic systems inside missiles. He claims that lasers have less of an impact on them than other weather-related problems.
However, he says HPMs have significant drawbacks, such as high energy consumption and the need for substantial power sources, which can limit deployment options. He also makes comments about the danger of collateral damage to friendly systems and the psychological strains of an invisible weapon without a signature or report, which are difficult to overcome.
While the US faces difficulties in mounting directed-energy weapons such as lasers and HPMs on its ships due to cost, space, and power constraints on its aging Ticonderoga-class cruisers, maxed-out Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, and its next-generation DDG ( X ) destroyer, which has been delayed until 2032, China is steadily building its fleet of large Type 055 cruisers which could accommodate the space and power requirements of HPM weapons.
Maritime Insight article for the Institute of International and Strategic Studies ( IISS), Johannes Fischbach mentions that as of 2024, the PLAN has achieved over 50 % of the US Navy’s vertical launch system (VLS ) cells fielding nearly 4, 300 VLS cells on 84 principal surface combatants, compared to the US Navy’s 8, 400 cells on 85 ships.
Fischbach says this progress is marked by the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s ( PLAN ) increased production rates, with the Type 052D destroyers and Type 055 cruisers contributing significantly. He draws attention to the US Navy’s VLS capacity in contrast to the slower pace of new ship construction and the retirement of aging Ticonderoga-class cruisers.
According to him, the US Navy’s current production rate of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers is 1.6 per year, while the PLAN’s Type-052D destroyers are produced at a rate of 3.1 per year. While he says the US Navy’s plans include the development of the DDG ( X ) destroyer and the Constellation-class frigate, these are not expected to enter service until the late 2020s or early 2030s.