China's development of weapons with EMP
It has long been no secret that many countries are developing advanced weapons based on new physical principles. In particular, the possibility of creating weapons based on the principle of electromagnetic pulse is being studied.
Moreover, several samples of electromagnetic guns have already been presented, but new technologies are being explored that will allow them to be perfected and significantly increase the power of existing samples. China is one of the leaders in the development of EMP weapons, and now we will talk about the achievements of Chinese engineers in this field based on publicly available data.
Latest developments
Recently, journalists from the Hong Kong edition of the South China Morning Post published a rather entertaining article with the modest title "Research: Chinese Energy Weapons," which cited facts previously published only on Chinese scientific resources. The publication reports that in the depths of the PLA University of Science and Technology, located in Changsha, with the support of other Chinese research organizations, an attempt was made to build an electromagnetic cannon with the maximum achievable pulse power.
China's development of weapons with EMP
Solving this problem required not just technical efforts, but a real breakthrough: the creation of advanced technologies and the introduction of the latest components. This was preceded by extensive research and complex engineering calculations, thanks to which it was possible to lay the foundation for fundamentally new solutions in the field of electromagnetic weapons.
The fundamental components
Based on the obtained technological solutions, several prototypes of electromagnetic systems have already been created in China, which have passed laboratory tests. When the specified conditions are met, these installations have confirmed both the possibility of achieving the calculated characteristics and the correctness of the chosen direction in development. Apparently, Chinese engineers continue to actively refine this advanced technology. The next step will be to create a new experimental sample with subsequent tests already in landfill conditions. If the tests are carried out without the need for serious redesign of the design, electromagnetic weapons may relatively soon move from the category of promising developments to full-fledged combat systems. It's too early to talk about specific deadlines, but the People's Liberation Army of China is clearly showing increased interest in the project, and this can seriously accelerate all stages of work.
The use of HEADLIGHTS
Journalists from the South China Morning Post have revealed the key features of China's electromagnetic weapons program, including a description of its principle of operation. According to them, the concept looks quite simple at first glance, but there were a lot of technical difficulties in its implementation. Nevertheless, two Chinese research organizations have successfully completed the task. Special attention in current developments is being paid to the use of phased array antennas (headlamps). Unlike monoblock antennas, such radiators have several advantages. In particular, the headlights can significantly increase the power of the generated electromagnetic pulse and at the same time expand the affected area due to directional effects.
A sample of an EMR system from CSGC and NORINCO on trial
A promising EMP complex
As the power of the electromagnetic pulse increases, the loads on the entire system increase dramatically, both on the phased array and on the auxiliary elements. This leads to malfunctions of the components or even their physical destruction. To avoid such consequences, special technical solutions are needed to evenly and accurately distribute energy between the antenna elements. Engineers from the Defense Technical University of China, in cooperation with the Northwestern Nuclear Institute (known by the acronyms CSGC and NORINCO), took up the issue. Together, they have developed a specialized device capable of dividing and directing pulses according to a given algorithm between individual headlight modules. A prototype has already been created, confirming the accuracy of engineering calculations.
Hurricane-3000 r high-power microwave weapon system
Interestingly, the device is comparable in size to a conventional household fan, although several functional units are placed inside it at once. It receives the initial radio signal from the generator, processes it and distributes it to the antenna cells. Support for the eight-grid configuration has been implemented so far, but the system architecture allows for other options. As the South China Morning Post notes, the developed divider can create an electric field strength of about 80 kV/m — this is commensurate with the effects of activating low- or even medium-power nuclear weapons. According to calculations, such a scheme is capable of providing an EMP complex with a capacity of 1 gigawatt.
Divider device on the laboratory stand
Nevertheless, as it is emphasized, the development is still at an early stage: so far we are talking only about theoretical models and the first laboratory tests. Only further verification will show how great its real combat potential is. Also, even the estimated time frame for completing the full test cycle and moving to the creation of a fully functional combat model is unknown.
China's development of weapons with EMP
China's current achievements and plans in the field of EMP weapons
The development of electromagnetic weapons in China has been underway for several years: enterprises of the military-industrial complex are not only actively working in this direction, but also present existing models at various exhibitions and closed demonstrations. However, it is precisely new EMP-based solutions that will give impetus to the development of this field and the creation of full-fledged weapons of the future. For example, Chinese companies have already demonstrated full-size electromagnetic guns mounted on self-propelled chassis. These systems are equipped with specialized radio electronics and are capable of hitting targets either by continuous radiation or by using a short-term but powerful pulse. In particular, on the eve of Airshow China 2024, CSGC and NORINCO specialists showed a number of prototypes of EMP installations operating in the microwave range. They are mounted on serial platforms that are equipped with special electronic equipment and hit these targets through prolonged exposure or with a short but powerful pulse.
One of the EMR systems developed by CSGC and NORINCO
The specific tactical and technical characteristics of these systems, as well as the range of targets being hit, have not been officially disclosed. However, according to the available information, it can be assumed that we are talking, first of all, about countering UAVs and other elements of air defense systems.
Chinese progress
China is consistently developing areas related to so-called weapons based on new physical principles, and the electromagnetic pulse occupies an important place in this area. The first operational samples of EMP systems have already been created and tested in China, and, according to experts, their introduction into the combat units of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) is only a matter of time. At the same time, research centers and design institutes related to the defense industry continue to work in-depth on the next generations of such systems. Current technological developments in the field of EMP are likely to form the basis of future comprehensive weapons programs based on new principles, with an eye to real combat applications.
Max Antonov
