China Tests Microwave Weapon with Nuclear-Level Power to Destroy Starlink Satellites
Chinese researchers have announced the development of a new high-power microwave (HPM) weapon capable of emitting electromagnetic pulses equivalent to those generated by a nuclear explosion. While still in the laboratory testing phase, the weapon is not yet ready for field use.
Unlike traditional HPM weapons that use dish-shaped antennas to emit high-energy waves, this new Chinese weapon employs phased array technology. This involves an array of small antennas, each emitting controlled electromagnetic waves simultaneously, allowing the combined signal to be directed at a specific target, enabling rapid and precise targeting.
According to a South China Morning Post report, this weapon can generate electric fields of up to 80,000 volts, matching the power of electromagnetic pulses generated by nuclear explosions, which disrupt nearby electronic devices.
These weapons cause electronic components to malfunction by applying voltages that exceed their tolerance, leading to damage or burnout. Therefore, their use requires precision and control over the waves to avoid affecting the weapon itself or friendly devices.
The research team, a joint venture between the National University of Defense Technology in Changsha and the Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xi’an, has overcome the challenge of preventing the weapon from self-destructing due to its intense pulses. The weapon withstood 5,000 full-power tests and maintained an operational efficiency of 96.6%, with only minor damage and wear.
Although the testing remains in a laboratory setting, and there is no strong evidence of this device’s ability to target distant objects without harming nearby friendly targets, some speculate that it could be used to target satellites like Starlink.
Countries are increasingly interested in these technologies to counter the threats posed by the growing use of drones. The U.S. military has announced plans to deploy HPM weapons in the Indo-Pacific region, and the U.S. Navy plans to test its HPM system, known as METEOR, on one of its ships in 2026.
The U.S. is also reportedly considering using such weapons to target and destroy Chinese satellites in the event of a conflict.
