Chinese defense scientists and engineers have taken a major technological step by equipping their unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with microwaves to suppress electronic warfare (EW). This transition is a world first, ushering in a new era in drone combat capabilities and defining potential changes in conflicts.
Professor Li Jianbing from the Information Technology University of the Strategic Support Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces led a team of scientists that created microwave installations designed to suppress enemy electronic warfare systems. He said these new drones could compete with manned aircraft by using microwave generators to jam the adversary.
Previously, microwave radiation was used as a radar for UAVs, but Chinese researchers have applied this technology as an electronic warfare weapon. According to them, the microwave installation can effectively suppress any "jammers" of the enemy, which makes them powerless against Chinese drones.
"The source of microwave radiation most often has a rather weak power and a limited operating bandwidth. Semiconductor chips are usually used to increase power. But the researchers say that their device can operate in an ultra-wide frequency range and is even capable of competing with aircraft for conducting electronic warfare," the study states.
The basis of the technology, according to scientists, is a "running wave tube", which contains a beam of electrons moving in a spiral in a vacuum along the inner wall. Even though this technology is considered old, it provides high microwave power compared to solid state amplifiers.
Researchers were able to successfully place microwave installations on drones, which opens up new perspectives in the field of electronic warfare. In particular, this technology could allow drones to fly directly above enemy radars, effectively jamming them and giving Chinese forces an advantage in various conflict zones.
“We can hit their early warning, surveillance and air defense control radars with jamming. This will protect our fighter jets and tactical missiles, giving us an advantage in battle," Li Jianbin said.
Armed with microwave weapons, these new drones are expected to give the Chinese military new capabilities in conflicts, particularly in the South China Sea and Taiwan. Further development of this technology may define a new standard in the field of military and defense aerospace engineering.
