China has begun shedding more light on the Hurricane 3000, a vehicle-mounted high-power microwave weapon designed to defeat drones at distances that allegedly exceed those of similar US systems.
The platform first appeared publicly during a major military parade in September, though no technical details were provided at the time, sparking widespread speculation among observers.
New information emerged this week after state-owned defense manufacturer Norinco outlined the system’s role within China’s growing counter-drone architecture.
If its reported range is accurate, the Hurricane 3000 would extend beyond close-in defense and enable broader area-denial operations, significantly expanding the reach of microwave-based air defense.
The system combines radar-based detection and tracking with electro-optical targeting for precise cueing, before delivering high-power microwave emissions that can disable aerial threats almost immediately.
Unlike missile or gun-based defenses, high-power microwave systems benefit from a virtually limitless firing capacity, minimal per-shot costs, and a lower likelihood of unintended collateral effects.
