China unveils microwave weapon to counter US tech edge
A new energy weapon has emerged in Beijing's arsenal. The HPM (High-power microwave) technology utilizes microwaves to disrupt electronics on a large scale, such as in drones, impairing their operation without causing visible damage.
The Chinese innovation is based on Stirling engines, which efficiently convert thermal energy into mechanical energy. These engines potentially generate electromagnetic pulses similar to those produced by atomic bomb explosions. According to Chinese sources, the efficiency of this technology is 96.6 percent.
Developed by a team from the National University of Defense Technology in Changsha, this weapon can target not only drones but also military aircraft and satellites.
HPM technology also allows for precise energy focusing and regulates the distance it affects. The pulse it emits is characteristic of those found during nuclear explosions.
Energy weapon as a means to counter US superiority
According to China, the development of microwave weapons is part of a broader strategy to disrupt American dominance in the Pacific. One method to achieve this could involve disabling satellite communications.
To address this task, the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics is working on a space fleet of 99 satellites designed to help precisely locate Starlink satellites.
The Chinese claim to possess solutions that can, among other things, neutralize up to 1,200 satellites in the Starlink constellation within 12 hours. Research into whale communication has aided in this development.
Information about the new Chinese weapon aligns with initial, vague reports that surfaced in global media in 2022. Asia Times reported on the work, suggesting it is a response to Starlink's initiatives to consistently build its constellation of thousands of satellites.
