Russia had a solid foundation in advanced military technology, especially with some forward-looking achievements in new concept military technology. However, a major news report recently has dealt a heavy blow to Russia's defense industry - the development of microwave weapons in Russia has encountered setbacks. According to a report by Ukrainian media "Defense Express" on July 23, the "Fury" microwave weapon system, which had been under development for 10 years, ended in failure, and its prototype vehicle was sent to the Kubinka Tank Museum near Moscow for display. This means that Russia has finally admitted that the approach of using microwave to counter drones has completely failed.
10 years of development, not going to the battlefield but into the museum (Ukrainian media screenshot)
The "Fury" microwave weapon system has become an exhibit
The "Fury" microwave weapon system was publicly displayed as early as 2015, appearing at the "Army-2015" exhibition in Russia, where access was restricted to general personnel. The "Fury" microwave weapon system uses the same tracked vehicle platform as the "Buk" air defense missile system, enabling mobile combat operations. It is equipped with a high-power generator, power regulation system, reflector antenna, main and secondary feed sources, and mechanical angle adjustment devices.
Its design goal is to counter drones and anti-ground missiles using the microwave weapon system, with a design specification of being able to destroy targets within a radius of 10 kilometers. The working principle is to use high-energy microwave pulses to interfere with or burn electronic components, destroy circuits, or cause system failures. This principle is not complicated, and people have long recognized the military value of high-energy microwave pulses or microwaves. In the 1970s, many countries began research on microwave weapons, but like laser weapons, they have long invested without results.
It can be seen that it has typical Russian "black and rough" features
The technical level of the "Fury" microwave weapon system is not low. The United States has a similar "Epirus Leonidas" system, but its strike range is only 2 kilometers. However, it was unexpected that after at least 10 years of testing, this system directly entered the Kubinka Tank Museum, which means the project has been completely abandoned. Otherwise, if the project were still ongoing, its prototype equipment would not have been sent to the museum.
Combined with the exhibition content, more emphasis is placed on the chassis rather than the microwave weapon
Regarding the reasons for the failure of the "Fury" microwave weapon system, from the general reasons for project cancellation, it could either be lack of funds or technical problems.
Given the importance Russia places on military technology, it is unlikely that funding shortages would lead to the project being canceled. Even without sufficient funds, the project could be postponed, but not canceled. Therefore, the main reason is likely technical issues. Microwave weapon technology is not simple. It may be that the requirements of the "Fury" microwave weapon system are too high, and its chassis is clearly prepared for field operations, which may not meet the requirements of field operations. Another point is that the "Fury" microwave weapon system is designed more as an electronic warfare device rather than a weapon system.
The Russian military eventually took the path of electronic suppression interference, but practical tests were not good
Many of Russia's R&D projects are more about external promotion, but their actual performance is not high, leading to the project being stalled. In fact, behind all these problems, there is an important reason: the backwardness of Russia's electronic technology level. Many projects involving electronic technology, such as early warning aircraft and microwave weapons, are highly dependent on electronic technology.
Microwave weapons are a type of new system weapon that uses directional emission of high-power electromagnetic pulses, with working frequencies between 1-300 GHz and radiation power reaching tens of gigawatts, capable of destroying electronic components, circuits, and sensors. Its application prospects are vast, especially in countering drones, and it is currently in the early stages of application, with a promising future.
Microwave weapons are new system weapons, with a broad future
If we compare products, Russia has been far behind China in the field of microwave weapon technology. Now, looking at it, microwave weapons face challenges in energy density and directionality. Simply put, it's about how to gather enough energy to burn through a target while ensuring precise targeting. This is similar to the working principle of some active phased array radar. Another problem is the system's size and energy efficiency, which require improvements in battery and capacitor technologies. China has accumulated technology in these areas, and more importantly, China's development in the new energy sector is so fast that competitors can't catch up.
We have already achieved the integration of mobile microwave weapon systems
In recent years, China's microwave weapon technology has made significant progress. At the 2024 Zhuhai Air Show, several domestic microwave weapon systems were unveiled. There were three microwave weapon systems: first, the "Hurricane 2000" microwave weapon system, mounted on an 8×8 light armored vehicle chassis, using large planar arrays and equipped with small rotating radars for target detection and tracking, suitable for field mobile air defense. Second, the "Hurricane 3000" microwave weapon system, mounted on the SX2400/2500 series 8×8 trucks, also using planar arrays and radars, but larger, suitable for area air defense. Third, the FK-4000 mobile high-power microwave weapon, also mounted on the SX2400/2500 series trucks.
About the technical level of our country's microwave weapons, there is not much detailed information. From what is seen, the effective range reached 2000 to 3000 meters, and these are data for export products. Another piece of data is that the peak power can reach 2 GW, making it the highest-level microwave weapon system in the world.
High-energy microwave weapons have good effects in striking drone swarms
Russia may have encountered some problems in microwave weapon technology and had to abandon the "Fury" microwave weapon system, but don't underestimate Russia because of this. It may just be that the "Fury" microwave weapon system failed, but other projects haven't given up. As one of the emerging military technologies, no one will give it up. However, China now has a mature solution available for sale, and Russia might consider it?
Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7530499782435996201/
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