High-power microwave (HPM) weapon

• Chinese researchers have introduced a novel high-power microwave (HPM) weapon, powered by a Stirling engine, marking a significant advancement in directed-energy warfare.
• It utilizes four compact Stirling engines to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy, driving powerful HPM waves capable of neutralizing drones, military aircraft, and satellites.
• The weapon’s superconducting coil can generate a magnetic field up to four teslas, significantly reducing energy consumption compared to existing technologies.
  • The system can operate continuously for four hours, consuming only a fifth of the energy required by previous methods.
• HPM weapons are a type of Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system.
  • These are electromagnetic systems capable of converting chemical or electrical energy to radiated energy and focusing it on a target, resulting in physical damage.
  • Directed-energy weapons, including lasers and HPMs, are considered the future of anti-drone and anti-satellite warfare.
• However, HPMs have faced challenges such as low efficiency and limited range.

ABOUT STIRLING ENGINE

• It is an external combustion engine working on the principle of compression and expansion to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy.