Powerful Chinese “superradiation” will fry satellites in orbit
USA, August 11, 2025 (Photo: Dominique A. Pineiro/ZUMAPRESS.com/Global Look Press) – Chinese military scientists have once again hit Western intelligence services. The Celestial Empire has created a prototype of a microwave weapon capable of generating beams with a power of 10 gigawatts with a repetition rate of 126 million times per second.
To understand the essence of the new weapon, let’s recall what microwaves are – writes Russian expert Dmitry Kapustin. Microwave radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is located between radio waves and infrared (thermal). We have become accustomed to them thanks to household microwave ovens, where they are used to heat food. Microwaves cause oscillations of water molecules in food, which leads to an increase in temperature. However, microwave ovens are used not only in the kitchen. They are used in medicine (in physiotherapy and for heating tissues in cancer treatment), industry (for drying materials, welding plastics and sterilizing equipment). For example, in radar (for detecting and tracking objects), as well as in mobile and satellite communications and even Wi-Fi.
Microwave weapons use a focused beam of microwaves to hit targets. This effectively causes the electronics in computers, radars, control and communication systems to “boil”. The basic idea of microwave weapons is to create a powerful pulse that “fries” or at least disrupts the electronics of the target. The weapon, developed by scientists from the PLA Academy of Military Sciences and the Key Laboratory of Advanced Science and Technology in the field of high-power microwaves, is based on the physics of “superradiation”.
“Superradiation” is a quantum phenomenon in which a group of atoms or molecules enters a state of coherent radiation. This means that together they emit energy in the form of a powerful pulse. And this pulse can be much more powerful than the radiation of individual atoms working independently of each other. The duration of such a gigantic pulse is less than a nanosecond. Simply put, imagine that you have many small lanterns shining in different directions. “Superradiation” is as if all these flashlights suddenly synchronized and directed their rays at one point, creating a powerful beam of light.
The idea of using electromagnetic radiation for military purposes is not new. In the thirties, so-called “radio death rays” were developed in various countries. Independently of each other, such developments took place in Great Britain, the United States, Germany and the USSR. However, the development did not go beyond the walls of laboratories, and the weapon was never created. It was only after World War II that microwave technology took off, when radars became available for detecting aircraft and ships. During the Cold War, active research into microwave weapons was conducted in the United States and the USSR. But it was Soviet scientists who were the first to develop the concept of “super radiation”. And again, practical implementation did not occur due to technical limitations.
Chinese microwave weapons will be able to destroy drones, satellites and other objects in the air and in space. A capacity of 10 GW is more than enough to disable the electronics of even well-protected spacecraft. In order for the Chinese prototype to become a real weapon that will appear in the troops, it is necessary to solve a number of practical problems.
First, miniaturization: the generator must fit into a compact size capable of generating such enormous power. It is also necessary to solve the problem of cooling the new weapon, since a huge amount of heat is released during the operation of a powerful microwave generator. However, knowing the perseverance of Chinese military scientists, it is obvious that solving these problems will not take long.
Many scientific advances made by Soviet and NATO scientists in the 20th century have already been turned into operational units in secret laboratories in China. For example, based on Soviet developments, China has created a prototype of a detonation engine (capable of accelerating a glider to Mach 16) and a “stealth plan” for fifth-generation fighters made of cold plasma. And how many other secrets of the United States and the USSR are waiting for practical implementation?!
Martin Scholz
