A massive truck-mounted system is one of at least three major mobile ground systems powerful microwave directed energy weaponsmainly intended to shoot down drones, during this year’s Zhuhai Airshow. This underlines a global explosion in demand for counter-drone capabilities, as well as China’s steady progress in development, fieldwork, and export of microwave and laser-directed energy weapons.
Officially known as the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, the Zhuhai Airshow also provides an opportunity for Chinese and foreign companies to showcase ground and maritime offerings. Photos and videos of various aircraft and other systems have been steadily emerging ahead of the formal opening of the event next week.
The images that have already appeared online during the preparations for Zhuhai contains a promotional video from state-owned companies China South Industries Group Corporation (CSGC) and Norinco with images of two powerful microwave-directed energy weapons, as well as other air defense systems.
The first of these is a microwave system consisting of a large planar array mounted on top of an 8×8 lightly armored vehicle chassis. The system also has a small rotating radar, which would be useful for target detection and tracking purposes. The underlying vehicle appears to be the same vehicle the type 625E a short-range self-propelled air defense system, or a variant or derivative thereof, another CSGC/Norinco offering also featured in the promotional video.
CSCG/Norinco withdrawal via X
The video does not provide specific details on the full features or capabilities of the CSGC/Norinco high-powered microwave weapon system, including whether they have additional sensors. A clip at the end shows a small drone being shot down by one of the systems, with an infrared camera feed also visible. Electro-optical and infrared cameras are often combined with directed-energy counter-drone systems to positively identify and track targets.
CSCG/Norinco withdrawal via X
Images of a third high-powered microwave-directed energy weapon system, also mounted on a Shacman SX2400/2500 series truck, have also emerged. This system has its microwave array on a different style of hinged mounting at the rear of the vehicle, as well as what appears to be a radar in a dome on an extendable mast towards the end of the cabin.
High-power wheeled microwave weapon system in Zhuhai with a high-mobility targetable phased array designed to intercept micro, light and small UAV units/swarms, achieving low-cost destruction of UAV targets
(via wb/电波震长空XYY) pic.twitter.com/ddkepzFIxY— Jesus Roman (@jesusfroman) November 6, 2024
Images circulating online of preparations for Zhuhai have also shown what appear to be several laser-guided energy systems, again likely mainly for use by drones, mounted on light armored vehicles And unscrewed ground platforms.
Work on directed energy weapons of various types, including for use against drones, in China and elsewhere in the world is not new. US forces are actively pursuing some of land And ship-based systems. However, there is a remarkable new commotion among the armed forces worldwide: included the US militaryto expand their capabilities to defend against unmanned aerial threats in recent years. The ongoing war in Ukraine, which is heavily influenced by the use of drones by both sides at all levels, of long-range attacks Unpleasant kamikaze attacks on strength right on the front linewas the main motivation. Increasing use of unmanned aerial systems in other conflicts including those in and around the Middle Easthave also contributed.
The way a microwave-directed energy weapon focuses its beam, along with its power levels, affects its maximum effective range and how many threats it can combat at once. However, the beams are usually relatively wide, especially compared to laser-directed energy weapons, which also help get to the target faster. They are also often less influenced by environmental factors.
As such, high-performance microwave-based systems represent a particularly attractive option defeating large numbers of threatsincluding drones that are active as part of fully networked swarmsan additional concern that will only increase in the future. Microwave energy, which can disrupt or even destroy a range of electronic systems, poses a threat to other types of targets in the sky and belowincluding cruise missiles.
In the counter-drone field, China is well aware of the ever-expanding threat ecosystem, given its own substantial and still growing investments in the development and deployment of various levels of unmanned aerial systems, as well as swarm capabilities, which also seen in Zhuhai. The country has also made steady progress in working on targeted energy capabilities, including: several existing types on the ground.
The microwave-oriented energy and other systems that will be on display in Zhuhai also highlight an additional export dimension. China has already sold targeted energy counter-drone systems abroad. As recently as October, a Chinese laser-guided energy weapon appeared in the Iranian capital Tehran during a high-profile appearance by Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While it remains unclear what other capabilities were deployed to protect Iran’s Supreme Leader, The war zone noted at the time that images of the event showed what appeared to be a planar array, as is often seen on microwave-based systems.