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Exclusive: China Conducts Field Tests of New Hurricane-3000 High-Power Microwave Weapon to Counter Drone Swarms.


Following its unveiling at the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2024, China's NORINCO (China North Industries Group Corporation) has taken a significant step forward in counter-drone technology with the Hurricane-3000 High-Power Microwave (HPM) Weapon System. Recent reports confirm that the Chinese defense company has conducted field tests of this new system, designed to counter the growing threat posed by drone swarms. However, despite the promising results, the Hurricane-3000 has not yet entered active service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA - Chinese Army).
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The Chinese-made Hurricane-3000, NORINCO's advanced high-power microwave system, demonstrated in field tests to counter drone swarms by disabling UAVs' electronics. (Picture source: Jesus Roman X account )


The growing use of drones in modern warfare, as highlighted by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, has underscored the vulnerability of military forces to drone swarms, which are being used for reconnaissance, strikes, and even kamikaze-style attacks. Both sides in the conflict have increasingly turned to UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) to gain tactical advantages, leading military forces around the world to seek advanced countermeasures. As the use of drones escalates, the demand for systems capable of neutralizing swarming UAVs has become critical.

The Hurricane-3000 is NORINCO’s response to this evolving challenge. The system leverages high-power microwave energy to disable or destroy drones by targeting their electronic components, rendering them inoperable. Unlike traditional missile-based systems, which can be costly and prone to collateral damage, HPM weapons provide a cost-effective, precise, and low-risk solution for neutralizing multiple drone threats simultaneously.

NORINCO’s field tests of the Hurricane-3000 have shown promising results, especially in scenarios where rapid neutralization of drone swarms is required. Mounted on a high-mobility chassis, the weapon is equipped with a powerful microwave array capable of generating intense electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) to disrupt the control systems of small UAVs. The system is able to detect targets up to 6 kilometers away and optically track them within a 4-kilometer range. Even micro-drones beyond 3 kilometers can be precisely locked onto and neutralized.

Zheng Xuyang, an expert from NORINCO, explained that, unlike a conventional microwave oven that heats food within a 30-centimeter range, the Hurricane-3000 has an effective range of 3 kilometers, 10,000 times that of a household microwave. The system operates similarly to a microwave oven by emitting high-power microwave beams to carry out electromagnetic attacks on the targets, instantly burning out their electronic components and control units. The system operates at speeds approaching that of light, enabling near-instant destruction of targets. This makes it highly effective, whether neutralizing individual drones or inflicting large-scale damage on drone swarms.

In one test, a small UAV was disabled mid-flight, validating the system’s operational effectiveness. The Hurricane-3000 has been demonstrated to engage a wide range of UAV sizes, from small reconnaissance drones to larger, more advanced models used for precision strikes. Additionally, the system's rapid response capability ensures that it can handle fast-moving aerial threats with minimal delay. Unlike conventional counter-drone systems, which require precise targeting and can be disrupted by weather conditions, the Hurricane-3000 operates effectively in diverse environments, making it a versatile addition to future defense arsenals.

The system’s high-power microwave beam also functions like a “hemispherical mosquito net” with a 3-kilometer radius, offering protection against saturation drone attacks. This feature could be particularly valuable when dealing with large swarms of UAVs, effectively preventing any incursions into protected airspace.

While the Hurricane-3000 has yet to be integrated into the PLA’s (People's Liberation Army - Chinese army) operational inventory, its field test success has sparked significant interest within military circles. The PLA has increasingly prioritized anti-drone capabilities, particularly in the context of urban and battlefield defense, where UAVs pose a unique challenge. China’s growing emphasis on directed-energy weapons, such as the Hurricane-3000, aligns with broader trends in military modernization. Directed-energy systems, including high-power microwave and laser weapons, are seen as key enablers of next-generation warfare, capable of efficiently countering increasingly sophisticated drone threats. Moreover, these systems are highly suitable for export, as evidenced by China’s recent sale of technologies similar to those of other nations. This reflects China’s ambition to become a global leader in advanced defense technologies.

The Hurricane-3000 is also part of China’s broader push to develop autonomous, unmanned, and networked defense systems. As drones continue to evolve, China is positioning itself as a leader in developing and potentially deploying technologies designed to counter these threats.

The Hurricane-3000 represents a major leap forward in the field of directed-energy weapons, offering a scalable, cost-effective, and rapid-response solution for countering drone swarms. While still undergoing testing and not yet in use by the PLA, its successful field trials indicate that it could become a pivotal component in modern military operations as the global drone threat continues to grow.

With increasing military investment in directed-energy technology, Chinese Defense Company NORINCO’s efforts with the Hurricane-3000 not only showcase China’s progress but also reflect a global shift towards more innovative and efficient counter-drone strategies. As other nations continue to explore similar systems, the future of aerial defense is likely to see significant changes, with high-power microwave systems like the Hurricane-3000 playing a central role in shaping the next generation of defense technologies.


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