Chinese Researchers Develop Cutting-Edge Microwave Weapon Utilizing Stirling Engine

A team of researchers in China has successfully developed a groundbreaking microwave weapon that can be launched from a moving truck, thanks to the innovative use of Stirling engine technology to cool the weapon’s systems.

This high-power microwave weapon, known as HPM, is powered by four compact and efficient Stirling engines. These engines effectively convert thermal energy into mechanical energy, acting as a reverse heat pump to assist a superconducting coil in generating a magnetic field with a strength of up to four tesla.

In contrast to traditional microwave weapons that consume significant amounts of energy and have limited operating capabilities, the HPM developed by the Chinese research team boasts significantly lower energy consumption, requiring only one-fifth of the energy used by current methods. Furthermore, it can operate continuously for an impressive four hours without any loss of power. Even when mounted on a moving truck traveling at high speeds, the weapon remains stable and unaffected by vibrations, making it difficult for enemies to detect its location.

The successful development of this cutting-edge technology is the result of meticulous research conducted by the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology in Xian and the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Electrical Engineering in Beijing. Led by electronic engineering scientist Xu Ce, the project team published their findings in the Chinese academic journal High Power Laser and Particle Beams, marking a significant milestone in the field of electronic warfare.

Central to the weapon system’s success is the utilization of the Stirling engine, which acts as a refrigerator to rapidly remove heat from the weapon’s components. While the Stirling engine has a cooling limit of 40 degrees above absolute zero, which is not low enough for the operation of superconductors, the researchers overcame this challenge by integrating the latest high-temperature superconducting tape, known as REBCO, into the weapon’s design. This powerful material, supplied by Shanghai Superconductor Technology, can achieve zero resistance at temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees above absolute zero, making it a game-changer in the industry.

The development of this revolutionary technology was further spurred by US sanctions that restricted the export of high-temperature superconducting materials to China, prompting the nation to invest heavily in research and development. As a result, China made significant strides in the production and application of these materials, breaking world records in performance and attracting attention from international scientific research facilities and infrastructure projects.

Despite the remarkable progress made in the development of the HPM weapon, the research team acknowledged that certain refinements are still required before the technology can be deployed in real-world scenarios. This includes addressing issues related to refrigeration power and system stability during prolonged operation. However, with plans to increase production capacity and reduce costs of superconducting tape, the future deployment of this innovative microwave weapon seems promising.

While the timeline for the weapon’s deployment remains undisclosed, the researchers are committed to further enhancing the system and exploring opportunities for miniaturization. With continued advancements in technology and manufacturing, the day when this cutting-edge microwave weapon becomes a reality may not be far off.