Technology

20-gigawatt Chinese microwave weapon touted as ‘Starlink’s worst nightmare’ by country's media — portable 5-ton device can deliver full-minute destructive bursts

Source

Tom's Hardware

Published

Feb 7, 2026

TL;DR

AI Generated

Chinese scientists have developed a 20-gigawatt microwave weapon called TPG1000Cs, which can disrupt or damage low Earth orbit satellites like Starlink. This portable 5-ton device is capable of delivering full-minute bursts of destructive energy, making it a significant threat. The weapon is compact enough to be mounted on vehicles or even sent into space, unlike previous HPM weapons. Key technologies like a special insulating material and pulse-forming line have enabled the creation of this powerful weapon, which has been tested for stability and durability. The development raises concerns about potential disruptions to satellite communications and national security.

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