Overview

• A PLA Academy of Military Sciences paper outlines a compact relativistic electron beam device using a non-uniform slow-wave structure and precision feedback to generate sub-nanosecond microwave bursts.
• Simulations demonstrate a first pulse peaking at 16.6 GW with up to 143 percent conversion efficiency and follow-on pulses above 10 GW lasting 0.77 nanoseconds at 9.7 GHz.
• The design fires at an unprecedented 126 million pulses per second, overcoming previous thermal and material constraints on high-power microwave systems.
• Theoretical models indicate the pulses could disable low-Earth orbit satellites by frying electronics, jamming links and knocking out solar panels without kinetic impact.
• Parallel research teams are pursuing next-generation superradiance weapons with outputs exceeding 100 GW under continued experimental development.