Forget missiles and lasers—China is betting on a technology already familiar in everyday kitchens to counter the growing threat of drone swarms. A newly detailed high-power microwave (HPM) weapon, known as the Hurricane 3000, promises to disable drones by frying their onboard electronics using focused microwave energy.
Unlike traditional air defense systems that rely on kinetic force or expensive missiles, microwave weapons emit bursts of electromagnetic energy that physically damage electronic components inside drones. This makes them more decisive than electronic jamming systems, which only disrupt signals temporarily. Once hit, affected drones can lose control, crash, or shut down entirely.
Norinco says the Hurricane 3000 uses radar to detect and track incoming threats before switching to electro-optical sensors for precise targeting. After locking onto a target, the system radiates microwave energy through an antenna panel, covering a wide area—an advantage when facing coordinated drone swarms.
According to Norinco expert Yu Jianjun, the system is designed to operate as part of a layered air defense network. When combined with laser weapons and conventional air defense artillery, it forms what he calls an “iron triangle” capable of handling everything from point defense to broader area denial. Potential missions include border security, coastal defense, and even urban public safety.
With a near-unlimited magazine, low cost per shot, and minimal collateral damage, microwave weapons like the Hurricane 3000 highlight how modern warfare is shifting toward electronic dominance. As drone threats continue to evolve, invisible microwave beams may soon become one of the most effective tools to stop them.