China unveils 100-gigawatt high-power microwave weapon arsenal

Chinese defense scientists have revealed that the nation's high-power microwave (HPM) weapons can achieve an output of up to 100 gigawatts. This technological milestone, detailed in a recent paper by researchers from the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT), holds the potential to reshape the future of warfare and drive innovation in civilian sectors.

The paper, published in the journal High Power Laser and Particle Beams, offers a rare public glimpse into China's advanced HPM arsenal. The NUDT researchers, led by Zhang Jun, noted that China's pulsed-power technology has advanced rapidly due to significant national strategic demands. They stated that research in this field is now among the world's foremost.

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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.

According to the researchers, pulsed-power drivers for HPM generation have moved beyond laboratory prototypes to practical applications. These systems have evolved from being merely "functional" to "high-performance" and "durable." This development could serve as a critical reference for other nations assessing the vulnerabilities of large satellite constellations.

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Pulsed-power drivers for HPM generation have transitioned from laboratory prototypes to practical applications, evolving progressively from ‘functional’ to ‘high-performance’ and ‘durable’ systems.