Chinese scientists claim a significant advancement in radar technology, potentially escalating the global hypersonic weapons race.
According to the group, this innovation could provide a crucial advantage in tracking and intercepting these high-speed missiles. It can even distinguish genuine from fake targets along its way flying at a high speed, Interesting Engineering reports.
Ultra-Precise Tracking of Hypersonic Missiles
Led by Professor Zheng Xiaoping of Tsinghua University, the research team developed a groundbreaking radar system capable of exceptional feats including the following:
- Tracking Multiple Hypersonic Missiles: The radar can track a staggering 10 hypersonic missiles flying at Mach 20 (over 15,000 mph) simultaneously.
- Unprecedented Precision: During simulations, the radar demonstrated pinpoint accuracy, estimating the distance of a hypersonic missile traveling at nearly 7km/s with a mere 28cm (11 inches) of error.
- High Speed, High Accuracy: The system boasts a remarkable 99.7% accuracy in estimating missile speed - a feat previously deemed impossible.
Laser Innovation for Enhanced Speed and Complexity
Traditionally, generating and analyzing radar signals for precise measurements presented a challenge. Electrons needed to move at extremely high speeds, potentially damaging circuit boards.
Zheng's team tackled this hurdle through a clever innovation through:
- Light Speed Information Transmission: By incorporating lasers into the radar system, the researchers achieved information transmission between key nodes at the speed of light.
- Complex Microwave Signal Processing: This laser integration allows the radar to generate and process far more complex microwave signals than ever before.
- Ultra-High-Speed Object Measurement: As a result, the radar can accurately measure the position and velocity of ultra-high-speed objects, including hypersonic missiles, for the first time.
Microwave Photonic Radar: Compact and Long-Range
The newly developed radar, dubbed "microwave photonic radar," offers additional benefits, according to The South China Morning Post.
First, it boasts an extended detection range wherein it can detect what's upcoming from 600km (373 miles). Aside from that, it features compact and mobile design: Its small and lightweight construction makes it ideal for deployment on fighter jets or air defense missiles.
This technology is considered by some military experts as a critical development for next-generation fire-control radars, essential for guiding interceptor missiles against incoming threats.
Hypersonic Weapons: A Challenge for Traditional Defenses
Hypersonic weapons pose a significant challenge to existing defense systems due to their extreme speed and unpredictability. Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (over 3,800 mph), significantly faster than traditional ballistic missiles. Their ability to perform unpredictable maneuvers further complicates interception efforts by traditional air defense systems.
While new interceptor missiles and laser weapons hold promise for destroying incoming hypersonic projectiles, their success hinges on precise target acquisition.
Interceptor missiles require accurate position and velocity data of incoming hypersonic targets to effectively engage.
High-speed movement can create phantom images on radar screens, overwhelming operators with false targets that outnumber real threats.
Zheng's team tackled these challenges head-on with their innovative radar design:
- Multi-Frequency Transmission: By employing laser technology, the radar can transmit three different microwave bands simultaneously, enhancing detection accuracy.
- False Target Elimination Algorithm: The researchers developed an algorithm that effectively eliminates false target interference by analyzing signals across different frequencies.
Complete System Verification
Professor Zheng's team has successfully built a complete radar system, including chips and transmitters. They have confirmed its performance through laboratory testing with instruments simulating the movement of hypersonic targets within the atmosphere.
The new radar technology has high-precision tracking capabilities and the ability to filter out false targets. This could be a game-changer for countries aiming to improve their defenses against these next-generation threats.
