CHINA'S REVOLUTIONARY ADVANCEMENTS IN ELECTRONIC WARFARE
In a groundbreaking technological stride, a team of Chinese scientists claims to have unveiled the design of a revolutionary electronic warfare weapon poised to reshape the dynamics of future military operations. This innovative weapon, detailed in a peer-reviewed paper published in the Journal of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, aims to emit multiple focused beams of waves from a single antenna.
Reported by Chinese media, SCMP, based in Hong Kong, the technology allows for the simultaneous targeting of objects in the air, water, or on the ground, potentially disrupting their operations. According to the published paper, laboratory tests on a scaled-down version of the weapon have yielded significant results, demonstrating its ability to operate at high power and transmit electromagnetic waves across a broad frequency range.
Notably, the weapon is designed to effectively counter anti-jamming techniques, providing a substantial advantage in electronic warfare. The researchers believe that this technological breakthrough marks a turning point in warfare dynamics, envisioning a future characterized by increasingly fierce competition in the electromagnetic spectrum battlefield.
The paper predicts scenarios where nations, especially those less advanced, may lose control of the electromagnetic spectrum before relinquishing territorial ground, ultimately leading to the loss of air and sea control. The researchers argue for the necessity of electronic countermeasure systems equipped with multifunctional, multi-target capabilities to navigate challenging and intense conflict environments.
This marks a departure from conventional electronic warfare equipment currently in use, such as those deployed on fighter jets like the U.S. F-15 and F-16 or Russian MiG-27 and MiG-29 fighter jets. While the paper doesn't elaborate on the reasons for revealing the technology, the researchers emphasize its "broad application possibilities" in radar, communications, and electronic countermeasures.
This development adds to the growing array of Chinese scientific contributions to military technologies, including drones and hypersonic weapons, reflecting the nation's rapid advancements in the hi-tech industry. The significance of electronic warfare weapons has been underscored in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Moscow actively employs these technologies to counter robots and rockets launched by Ukrainian forces.
This emphasizes the crucial role that electronic warfare plays in modern combat scenarios, showcasing its effectiveness in neutralizing airborne threats and enhancing strategic defense capabilities. However, only a select few countries, including Israel with its Scorpius-SP unit, have embraced the new era of electronic warfare technology.
Israel's compact device, roughly the size of an air-to-air missile, can detect and suppress targets in multiple directions, providing protection for friendly fighter jets. Lockheed Martin, a U.S.-based company, has also developed the Multi-Capability Electronic Warfare Air Large (MFEW-AL) airborne electronic unit payload.
This advanced system is designed to be adaptable across various platforms, showcasing the ability to detect diverse threats in the operational environment. In October 2023, the company announced the successful test of its MFEW-AL airborne electronic case payload under a manned fixed-wing aircraft.
At that time, the company stated that U.S. Army electronic warfare soldiers had achieved success in a series of airborne EW operations, effectively countering a range of threat emitters. While the technological approach taken by Chinese scientists appears distinctly different, promising an intelligent control strategy for enhanced efficiency in countering various targets, it also raises discussions on the evolving nature of military conflicts and the critical importance of staying ahead in the electromagnetic spectrum battlefield.