China’s Microwave Weapon Breakthrough: 10,000 Shots Without a Hitch
China has reportedly achieved a major milestone in directed-energy weapons with the development of a new high-power microwave (HPM) gun capable of firing over 10,000 continuous shots without mechanical failure. Developed by the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, this compact system—about the size of a Gatling gun—uses advanced vacuum-sealing technology to withstand extreme electromagnetic pulses.
The weapon emits microwave beams strong enough to disable drones, incoming missiles, aircraft, and potentially even low-orbit satellites by rendering their electronics useless. According to Chinese defense scientists, the system can produce between 10 and 30 pulses per second, with each shot generating hundreds of megawatts powered by a 3-gigawatt pulsed current.
What sets this weapon apart is its durability. Traditional HPM systems rely on external pumps to maintain a vacuum, but these can make the equipment heavy and vulnerable to wear. The Chinese team overcame this by achieving a breakthrough in ceramic-metal welding and using a unique non-evaporable getter (NEG) pump made of zirconium-vanadium-iron alloy, which absorbs internal gases and preserves the vacuum even during intense firing sessions.
While the U.S. is developing its own microwave weapons using gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors—which eliminate the need for a vacuum—China has taken a dual approach, pushing forward both vacuum-based and solid-state systems. With China tightening its export controls on gallium, some experts believe this technological leap gives Beijing a significant edge in the global race for next-generation battlefield dominance.
Despite the impressive claims, details about the weapon’s energy source and battlefield readiness remain scarce. It’s still unclear whether the power systems needed to operate such a high-output device are portable enough for practical military use. Nonetheless, this innovation marks a significant step forward in the evolving field of directed-energy warfare.