A system focused on extreme precision
The concept is quite simple on paper: seven vehicles equipped with microwave devices focus their beams on one target. The outcome? A combined energy that can neutralize satellites or even electronic equipment. In reality, however, it can be a little more complicated: it requires aligning these beams Millimetre-level precision and synchronization to the picosecond (yes, that’s trillionths of a second).
Chinese scientists, clearly determined, spared no effort to achieve this. They connected the transmitters with ultra-precise optical fibers and integrated laser equipment to refine the positioning. To give you an idea, their system is even more accurate than the atomic clock that GPS manages.
Already promising trials
The weapon has reportedly been tested successfully. According to researchers, it is capable of jamming signals from American GPS satellites. This technology could also be used for military training or testing new innovations. Don’t expect to get the exact technical details though: everything is secret, of course.
Why such a weapon? First, it is cost-effective: no ammunition is required, only energy. Furthermore, it could complement traditional weapons by providing a new way to neutralize targets, especially in space. And with the global race for defense technologies, China clearly wants to maintain its lead.
Towards the militarization of science fiction?
So should we worry about ever seeing a real ‘Death Star’? We’re not quite there yet, and you know my tendency to exaggerate, but this system shows how important directed energy weapons could become. It remains to be seen whether this technological race will take place in space… or whether we will see its first consequences a little closer to home, on the ground. Until then, I’m going to start repairing my droid, just in case.