China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) appears to be moving beyond traditional antennas, turning to quantum sensing to pick up weak radio signals from “tens of kilometers” away.
The PLA shared details of a compact “quantum radio” prototype weighing just over 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds), which was recently tested in a region north of the Great Wall.
Despite being smaller than conventional radio receivers, the quantum-enabled device reportedly matches the performance of comparable systems while remaining light and portable enough for a single soldier to carry and deploy in the field.
Project engineer Zhan Zihao said his team collaborated with a third party manufacturer to build the radio’s quantum mechanism, improving signal sensitivity while shrinking the receiving node to just a few centimeters.
“This successful experiment will provide a new means of communication for any new combat force,” he said, as quoted by South China Morning Post.
“Only by approaching scientific research with the same intensity as warfare, ensuring effective equipment reaches the battlefield, can we better carry out our missions.”
Going Quantum
Border defense troops often operate in remote, mountainous regions where connectivity is limited or unreliable.
Traditional radios can cover long distances, but large antennas usually limit signal clarity and mobility.
The PLA’s quantum radio prototype tackles this problem by using highly sensitive quantum sensors in a compact form.
Operating on low-frequency signals, it could also make communications between troops harder to detect and intercept.
“In the future, it can meet emergency communication needs in obstructed conditions such as valleys and dense forests,” Zihao stated, noting the prototype will next be tested on coastal frontlines.
