In recent months, China has reported that its scientists have made significant progress with their new high-power microwave system, the Hurricane-3000, even conducting multiple firing tests that demonstrate its high level of precision and reliability. This system, once it surpasses the ongoing testing phase, is expected to completely disable the electronic components of enemy weapon systems, generating electromagnetic pulses with power comparable to that of a nuclear explosion.
Providing some details about its operation, the asian giant’s new weapon uses advanced phased array transmission technology to concentrate the generated pulse, which enhances the system’s range and accuracy. Additionally, local media reports indicate that the new Hurricane-3000 could be used against multiple targets simultaneously, making it an effective countermeasure against drone swarms. In terms of power, it is estimated to reach a peak of approximately 80,000 volts, maintaining an operational efficiency close to 96.6%.
Moreover, the development team, composed of members from the National University of Defense Technology in Changsha and the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology in Xian, reported that the weapon, originally unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow, has withstood more than 5,000 pulses in conducted tests. This is a significant achievement, considering that one of the team’s main concerns at the beginning of the program was determining whether the new system could withstand the generated energy without self-destructing, which has been successfully overcome.
It is worth noting that this new development comes amid widespread efforts by the world’s leading armed forces to acquire directed energy weapons, which would allow for countering modern threats more cost-effectively than traditional kinetic defense solutions. These systems offer virtually unlimited shots and are cheaper than modern anti-aircraft missiles.
Currently, many of these alternatives focus on laser-based weapons, with various examples mounted on both naval and land platforms, such as those developed by the United Kingdom, Israel, and the United States, among others. However, existing laser weaponry can only be fired for short periods in a concentrated beam, whereas microwave-based weapons can emit wide-area conical beams capable of neutralizing a greater number of targets.
Finally, it should be noted that the United States is also exploring its own high-power microwave systems, having received the first prototype, named Epirus, in 2023. Unlike the Chinese-developed weapon, specialized media reports indicate that the U.S. weapon will only conduct its first live tests in 2026, with the system expected to be mounted on a U.S. Navy vessel for this purpose.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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