China's HPM weapons hit 100GW output, NUDT scientists reveal
Synopsis
China's military has publicly confirmed its high-power microwave weapons can deliver up to 100 gigawatts — a rare disclosure by Beijing that signals these directed-energy systems have moved from lab prototypes to durable, field-ready platforms capable of threatening satellite constellations in low Earth orbit.
Key Takeaways
China 's HPM weapons have achieved an output of up to 100 gigawatts (GW) , according to defence scientists at NUDT .
The findings were published in July 2026 in the peer-reviewed journal High Power Laser and Particle Beams .
The research team was led by Zhang Jun of NUDT 's College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies .
Scientists confirmed the systems have evolved from laboratory prototypes to ‘high-performance’ and ‘durable’ field-applicable platforms.
The paper is regarded as a rare public disclosure of China 's directed-energy military capabilities.
Defence analysts say the disclosure has direct implications for the security of large low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations.
China's high-power microwave (HPM) weapons have achieved an output of up to 100 gigawatts (GW), defence scientists from the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT) disclosed in a peer-reviewed paper published in July 2026 — a rare public acknowledgement of the country's directed-energy arsenal that experts say could reshape modern warfare and accelerate civilian research.
What was disclosed
Researchers led by Zhang Jun of NUDT's College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies detailed a series of advanced pulsed-power devices developed by China's military in recent years. The findings appeared in the journal High Power Laser and Particle Beams. The disclosure is considered unusually candid for the Chinese military, which rarely publicises specifics of its directed-energy programmes.What the researchers said
“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,” the team wrote. They added that “pulsed-power drivers for HPM generation have transitioned from laboratory prototypes to practical applications, evolving progressively from ‘functional’ to ‘high-performance’ and ‘durable’ systems.”Why it matters
HPM weapons work by emitting concentrated bursts of electromagnetic energy capable of disabling or destroying electronic systems — including satellites, drones, and ground-based communications infrastructure — without kinetic impact. A 100 GW output capability places these devices in a category that could threaten large satellite constellations operating in low Earth orbit (LEO), including commercial networks. The paper is being studied as a potential reference by defence analysts assessing the vulnerability of massive LEO constellations worldwide.The competitive backdrop
The disclosure arrives as multiple spacefaring nations race to deploy thousands of broadband satellites in LEO. Anti-satellite capabilities — whether kinetic, cyber, or directed-energy — have become a central concern for military planners. China's explicit confirmation that its HPM systems have moved from laboratory prototypes to durable, field-applicable platforms signals a meaningful step beyond theoretical research.What’s next
The NUDT paper is expected to prompt renewed scrutiny of satellite constellation resilience standards among defence establishments and commercial operators alike. Analysts will be watching whether subsequent disclosures from Beijing provide additional specifications, and whether allied nations accelerate hardening programmes for their own orbital and ground-based electronic assets.Point of View
Medical, and industrial applications, making export-control responses by rival governments far more complicated. The explicit framing of these systems as ‘durable’ — not merely functional — is the detail that should concern satellite operators most, as it implies sustained operational use rather than single-shot demonstrations. This disclosure fits a broader pattern of calibrated transparency that China has deployed in the chip and hypersonics domains: reveal enough to deter, withhold enough to preserve asymmetric advantage.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did China reveal about its high-power microwave weapons?
Scientists at China 's National University of Defence Technology (NUDT) confirmed in a July 2026 paper that the country's HPM weapons can deliver up to 100 gigawatts of output. The disclosure is considered one of the most detailed public acknowledgements of China 's directed-energy arsenal to date.
What is a high-power microwave weapon and how does it work?
High-power microwave (HPM) weapons emit concentrated bursts of electromagnetic energy capable of disabling or destroying electronics without physical impact. They can target satellites, drones, communications systems, and other electronic infrastructure at range.
Why does China's HPM capability matter for satellite networks?
A 100 GW HPM output places China 's directed-energy systems in a range that could threaten satellites operating in low Earth orbit (LEO) . Defence analysts are already using the NUDT paper as a reference to assess vulnerabilities in large commercial and military LEO constellations.
Who led the NUDT research on China's HPM weapons?
The research team was led by Zhang Jun of NUDT 's College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies . Their findings were published in the journal High Power Laser and Particle Beams in July 2026 .
What is the significance of China's HPM systems moving from prototypes to field use?
The transition from laboratory prototypes to ‘high-performance’ and ‘durable’ systems — as described by the NUDT researchers — means China 's HPM platforms are no longer experimental. This suggests they could be deployed operationally, raising the stakes for rival nations’ satellite and electronic-warfare defence planning.
