A high-power microwave (HPM) weapon is reportedly being developed in China as a potential solution to large constellations of low-orbit satellites, with Beijing describing it as “Starlink’s worst nightmare.”
The TPG1000Cs system, built by scientists at the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, is claimed to sustain up to 20 gigawatts of power for one minute, delivering roughly 3,000 high-energy pulses in a single use.
It measures just 4 meters (13 feet) in length and weighs about 5 tons, enabling it to be mounted on trucks, warships, or even space assets.
Instead of steel, the HPM weapon is built from aluminum alloy, reducing mass by nearly a third. Its insulating plates are also etched with grooves, reportedly to help prevent electrical faults.
Its insulating oil was changed to allow the entire system to store more energy.
Lead researcher Wang Gang said the TPG1000Cs has already fired more than 200,000 pulses during early testing, suggesting durability and potential for multi-platform deployment.
Versus Traditional Systems
Other HPM systems designed for low-Earth orbit satellites are typically heavier and operate for shorter periods.
For example, Russia’s Sinus-7 runs for about one second, weighs 10 tons, and delivers only 100 pulses per burst.
Many traditional systems also store energy in long, straight tubes, requiring substantial physical space.
By contrast, the TPG1000Cs is said to use a dual U-shaped design that allows energy to bounce within a more compact footprint. Wang said this configuration delivers comparable performance while occupying roughly half the space.
The new microwave weapon is being framed as capable of targeting satellites like Starlink, which China has previously cited as a potential national risk due to possible use by rogue actors or terrorists.
