China reveals details of Hurricane 3000 high-power microwave weapon on January 7, 2026

Key facts

• Norinco developed the Hurricane 3000, a truck-mounted high-power microwave (HPM) weapon designed to neutralize drone swarms.
• The Hurricane 3000 system has an effective interception range exceeding 3 km against light and small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
• The HPM weapon is categorized as a "hard kill" solution because it uses electromagnetic energy to physically incapacitate electronic components.
• The system utilizes radar for identification and electro-optical sensors for visual acquisition and precise tracking of aerial targets.
• The Hurricane 3000 can be integrated with laser weapons and traditional artillery to form an "iron triangle" against drones.
• High-power microwave systems offer an unlimited "magazine" and low cost per engagement compared to traditional missile or gun-based interceptors.
• The United States (US) Army's HPM weapon, Leonidas, developed by Epirus, has a reported effective range of up to 2 km.
• A prototype of the Leonidas system was deployed during the Balikatan joint military exercise in the Philippines in April 2025.
• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation has developed another HPM platform known as the FK-4000.
• The Hurricane 3000 was first unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2024 alongside a smaller system known as the Hurricane 2000.