Chinese Scientists Build Radar Capable of Tracking 10 Hypersonic Missiles: What Else Can It Do?
Chinese scientists claim a significant advancement in radar technology, potentially escalating the global hypersonic weapons race.
According to the group, this innovation could provide a crucial advantage in tracking and intercepting these high-speed missiles. It can even distinguish genuine from fake targets along its way flying at a high speed, Interesting Engineering reports.
Led by Professor Zheng Xiaoping of Tsinghua University, the research team developed a groundbreaking radar system capable of exceptional feats including the following:
Traditionally, generating and analyzing radar signals for precise measurements presented a challenge. Electrons needed to move at extremely high speeds, potentially damaging circuit boards.
Zheng's team tackled this hurdle through a clever innovation through:
The newly developed radar, dubbed "microwave photonic radar," offers additional benefits, according to The South China Morning Post.
First, it boasts an extended detection range wherein it can detect what's upcoming from 600km (373 miles). Aside from that, it features compact and mobile design: Its small and lightweight construction makes it ideal for deployment on fighter jets or air defense missiles.
This technology is considered by some military experts as a critical development for next-generation fire-control radars, essential for guiding interceptor missiles against incoming threats.
Hypersonic weapons pose a significant challenge to existing defense systems due to their extreme speed and unpredictability. Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (over 3,800 mph), significantly faster than traditional ballistic missiles. Their ability to perform unpredictable maneuvers further complicates interception efforts by traditional air defense systems.
While new interceptor missiles and laser weapons hold promise for destroying incoming hypersonic projectiles, their success hinges on precise target acquisition.
Interceptor missiles require accurate position and velocity data of incoming hypersonic targets to effectively engage.
High-speed movement can create phantom images on radar screens, overwhelming operators with false targets that outnumber real threats.
Zheng's team tackled these challenges head-on with their innovative radar design:
Professor Zheng's team has successfully built a complete radar system, including chips and transmitters. They have confirmed its performance through laboratory testing with instruments simulating the movement of hypersonic targets within the atmosphere.
The new radar technology has high-precision tracking capabilities and the ability to filter out false targets. This could be a game-changer for countries aiming to improve their defenses against these next-generation threats.