Unveiling a Next-Generation Electronic Warfare Weapon
In mid-June 2025, Chinese scientists publicly announced a groundbreaking electronic warfare (EW) system powered by 6G technology. Reports from the South China Morning Post (SCMP) and other outlets describe a prototype device that intercepts enemy radar signals and projects thousands of “ghost” targets to confuse adversaries. According to these reports, the system’s photonics-based core can generate over 3,600 false targets in real time at high microwave frequencies (around 12 GHz and above). This means a radar operator or pilot could suddenly see an armada of phantom aircraft or missiles that don’t actually exist. Chinese developers claim the new technology can effectively blind or spoof even state-of-the-art radars like the AN/APG-85 on U.S. F-35 stealth fighters. If true, this capability would mark a significant leap in electronic warfare, as traditional jammers struggle against such advanced X-band radars. Notably, the achievement has been touted as the world’s first publicly confirmed system able to jam and communicate on the same frequency simultaneously – an unprecedented full-duplex warfare capability that lets it disrupt enemy sensors while still coordinating with friendly forces.
The initial news of this 6G EW system came via Chinese research teams led by Professor Deng Lei at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Their results were published in a peer-reviewed Chinese optics journal in May 2025, indicating the scientific community has scrutinized the concepts. The project also received roughly $10 million in funding from the Chinese government, military, and tech industry, underscoring that this is a serious national effort, not just a lab experiment. In fact, the developers report that the system has moved beyond basic laboratory tests into early-stage industrial trials. In other words, hardware has been built and tested to a degree that China is starting to figure out how to produce or deploy it on a larger scale. All these factors lend credence to the Chinese claims – this is not a random internet rumor, but a development documented in scientific literature and Chinese media, then picked up by international sources like Interesting Engineering and Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency. The question remains: How exactly does this 6G jammer work, and can it really deliver on its bold promises?
Photonic Jamming and “Ghost” Radar Targets
At the heart of the new system is a “photon-powered” microwave photonic core, which uses laser-optic techniques to handle radio-frequency signals. Traditional electronic jammers generate and transmit noise or false signals using purely electronic circuits, which face speed and bandwidth limitations at high frequencies. By contrast, the Chinese 6G device leverages photonics (light-based components) to achieve ultra-fast signal processing in the 12 GHz range and potentially much higher. Microwave photonic technology allows the system to manipulate radar-frequency waves with extreme precision and wide bandwidth, far beyond what standard electronics can do. According to the research team, this photonic approach is the key to outmatching modern radars and to the creation of thousands of believable false targets in an instant.
Critically, the system is designed to perform multiple functions at once. It can detect incoming radar signals, generate jamming signals, and transmit data to friendly units – all in the same frequency band at the same time. This is referred to as simultaneous same-frequency full-duplex communication and jamming. In simpler terms, the device can blast the enemy’s radar with interference while still remaining in communication with its own forces, without having to switch channels or cease jamming. Achieving that is exceptionally difficult; normally, a jammer would deafen itself or its allies if it tried to transmit and jam on one frequency. The Chinese researchers solved this by integrating advanced signal processing hardware: for example, a dual-polarization IQ modulator (a component that can adjust signal phase and amplitude on two polarizations) allows incoming radar pulses to be precisely duplicated and altered for jamming. An active fiber-optic loop is used to store and delay the intercepted radar signals by up to a few hundred microseconds, then replay them with slight timing offsets. By inserting just the right delays and tweaks, the system can spit back the enemy’s own radar pulses with false range and velocity data – effectively creating a swarm of phantom echoes that look real to the radar. Each delayed clone corresponds to a fake target at a certain distance; having rapid optical storage means potentially thousands of fake targets can be generated in a coordinated fashion, each “pinging” the radar at intervals that mimic real aircraft or missiles.
Furthermore, using photonics grants the device very high timing accuracy and coherence. The false return signals are described as “coherent, time-aligned false targets” that closely match legitimate radar echoes. In electronic warfare, coherence is crucial for fooling modern radars – random noise is easy for radar software to filter out, but a well-crafted false echo that looks just like the real thing (same frequency, modulation, etc.) can slip through. The Chinese system’s optical signal generator enables fine-grained control over the spoofed signals’ characteristics. According to an analysis by Army Recognition, the photonic jammer can inject fake targets that carry the same timing and frequency signatures expected from genuine contacts, making them much harder to dismiss as interference. In essence, the system doesn’t just blast noise; it hijacks the enemy’s radar pulses and plays tricks with them – a sophisticated form of deception known as Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) jamming, elevated to new heights by 6G-era tech.
Another novel aspect is the system’s role as a communications hub for friendly forces. Reports say this 6G device can link with over 300 allied platforms via high-speed optical fiber connections, all while it’s simultaneously jamming. In practice, this means the unit could be part of a larger battle network – for example, a ground-based station that coordinates drones, aircraft, or air defenses by sharing data through optical links, even as it emits electronic countermeasures. The use of fiber-optic lines suggests the initial system might be deployed in a fixed or semi-mobile ground installation, since it literally plugs into a communication network. Indeed, Chinese sources describe it as a ground-based jammer and communication device that feeds information to many platforms at once. By using optical fiber for its own communications, the jammer avoids clogging the radio spectrum for friendlies and is immune to enemy jamming of its control links. This architecture aligns with China’s broader push toward integrated communication and sensing in warfare. The team’s paper explicitly notes that “the evolution of 6G technology is driving the convergence of communications, radar and electronic warfare applications”. In other words, instead of treating these as separate realms, the new system combines them – it senses (radar detection), it communicates (data sharing), and it attacks (jamming) all together. Such integration is a hallmark of next-gen military tech, and China appears to be at the forefront of this trend (the country holds the largest share of 6G patents globally as of 2025).
Impact on the F-35 and Advanced Radars
Why are F-35 stealth fighters singled out in discussions of this 6G EW system? The F-35 Lightning II’s latest radar, the AN/APG-85, exemplifies the kind of advanced sensor the Chinese device is built to defeat. The APG-85 is a cutting-edge active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar operating in the X-band (around 8–12 GHz). It’s known for features like frequency agility, pulse compression, and low-probability-of-intercept (LPI) waveforms – all techniques that make it harder to jam or detect. The F-35’s radar can hop frequencies and use very short, coded pulses, and it is engineered to resist most conventional jamming. However, the Chinese 6G jammer precisely targets the same high-frequency spectrum (around 12 GHz) that the F-35’s radar uses. By operating in that band with a photonic system, it can match or exceed the radar’s agility and speed. The 3600 “ghost targets” are specifically timed to exploit the radar’s signal processing: flooding the radar with a dense cloud of fake echoes could overwhelm even an intelligent filtering system. Army Recognition’s analysis points out that the sheer volume of “thousands of delayed, spoofed radar returns at gigahertz speeds” threatens to overwhelm the F-35 radar’s filtering algorithms. Imagine the radar’s computer trying to make sense of one true target versus 100 phantoms – now up that to a few thousand. In simulations or tests, this has likely caused radar trackers to falter or misidentify which target is real.
A U.S. F-35 Lightning II, the advanced stealth fighter whose radar is a key target of China’s new 6G electronic warfare system. Chinese researchers claim their photonic jammer can overload even the F-35’s cutting-edge AN/APG-85 radar by flooding it with thousands of phantom signals. Military analysts note that such ghost targets could degrade the F-35’s tracking and targeting performance by confusing its sensor fusion systems.
The implications for F-35 pilots and operators are serious. If an enemy jammer injects a swarm of fake contacts into the F-35’s radar, the pilot could be misled into thinking many threats are present where there are none – or conversely, lose track of a real threat amidst the decoys. Army Recognition notes the result could be “degraded tracking performance, compromised target identification, and reduced situational awareness” for the F-35 during engagements. In air combat, losing situational awareness is deadly. A stealth fighter like the F-35 relies on seeing the enemy first and orchestrating the fight on its own terms. A powerful jammer that feeds it disinformation essentially robs the F-35 of one of its biggest advantages – its sensor clarity and sensor fusion. The F-35’s mission systems fuse data from radar, infrared sensors, electronic support measures, and datalinks to present a coherent picture to the pilot. That fusion engine, with millions of lines of code, assumes the inputs (like radar returns) generally reflect reality. If many of those inputs are maliciously fabricated yet still pass the radar’s initial validity checks, the whole decision chain can be thrown off. The pilot might pursue ghosts, waste missiles on non-existent targets, or be unsure where the real enemy is. Meanwhile, the real adversary (perhaps the platform operating the jammer or other fighters) could maneuver freely.
It’s not just the radar picture that’s at stake. The Chinese 6G jammer’s ability to perform full-spectrum trickery may also interfere with the F-35’s communications and data networks in indirect ways. For example, by using the same frequency for jamming and communication, the system can potentially mimic friendly signals or exploit gaps in spectrum use. Army analysts speculate that even encrypted, frequency-hopping radars and datalinks could be affected because the jammer’s recreated signals so closely resemble authentic ones. There is a scenario where the F-35’s multifrequency datalinks or sensor-sharing networks (like the Tactical Link or Multifunction Advanced Data Link) could be confused or saturated by the jammer’s activity. The Chinese device effectively blurs the line between a radar jammer and cyber/electronic attack on the entire sensor network. By precision manipulation of the electromagnetic spectrum (as one analysis describes it), it threatens not only to blind a radar but also to disrupt the flow of correct information within an adversary’s combat network. U.S. and allied militaries would likely need to develop new counter-countermeasures – for instance, AI-assisted filters to recognize anomalies in incoming sensor data, or tactics to triangulate and shut down such a jammer quickly. The bottom line is that, if this 6G EW system works as described, it could seriously challenge the F-35 and other advanced platforms. Even with stealth, an F-35 cannot achieve its aims if it’s bombarded with false signals and its pilots cannot trust their instruments.
Stealth vs. Deception
The advent of this Chinese 6G jammer highlights a classic arms race between stealth technology and electronic countermeasures. Stealth aircraft like the F-35 or China’s own J-20 rely on minimizing their radar cross-section (RCS) so that enemy radar returns are faint or indistinguishable from noise. Likewise, Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter project has focused on reducing radar visibility through airframe design. In fact, a Russian patent associated with the Su-57’s development outlines measures to cut an aircraft’s radar signature down to as little as 0.1–1 square meter in effective area – a tiny echo compared to conventional fighters. To achieve this, the Su-57’s design (as described in the patent) carefully shapes the fuselage, wings, engine inlets, and even covers engine exhausts and weapons so as to diminish radar reflections. This is a passive approach: make the plane nearly invisible to sensors. Modern stealth fighters use such passive low-observability and also employ tactics like radio silence to avoid detection.
However, as radars improve and proliferate, stealth alone is not a guarantee of invisibility. High-frequency AESA radars, multi-static radar networks, and new detection methods (like infra-red search/track or bi-static setups) are all being fielded to counter stealthy aircraft. This is where active electronic warfare steps in as the cat to the radar’s mouse. Rather than just hiding, systems like the Chinese 6G jammer seek to spoof and overwhelm. It’s a different philosophy: don’t just vanish from the enemy’s radar – attack the radar itself. By flooding an opponent’s sensors with erroneous data, even a non-stealthy asset can survive or protect others. For instance, China could deploy this ground-based 6G jammer in a conflict to mask the movements of its own aircraft or drones by filling enemy radar screens with fake blips. In effect, it creates a dynamic electronic smoke screen. This active deception can complement stealth technology: even if the enemy radar can detect a stealth aircraft at long range, a jammer can make that radar unsure of what it’s seeing. Military analysts note that China’s new system “represents a shift from power-focused denial strategies toward precision manipulation of the electromagnetic spectrum”. In traditional terms, earlier jammers often just blasted noise (power-focused denial), whereas this system surgically inserts misleading signals (precision manipulation).
It’s worth noting that China is not alone in pursuing high-tech EW, but it appears to be ahead in publicly demonstrating a 6G-based capability. The claim that this is the first device of its kind in the world seems to hold up – no other nation has openly confirmed an EW system with same-frequency jamming and communications in one package. Western countries have highly advanced electronic warfare units (for example, the U.S. Navy’s EA-18G Growler jets can jam radars and even insert false targets using DRFM technology). Yet, those are still conventional electronic systems. The Chinese project’s use of next-gen 6G components and photonics could leapfrog existing capabilities. It aligns with China’s broader push in 6G research; by 2025 China reportedly held the largest number of 6G patents globally and has been investing heavily in both civilian and military 6G applications. This suggests the 6G EW system is not a one-off wonder, but part of a continuum of R&D where communications, sensing, and AI are all converging. Chinese publications have explicitly framed this device as a way to “consolidate China’s 6G leadership and usher in a new era of warfare technology”. In strategic terms, it’s a signal that China intends to set the pace in electromagnetic domain warfare. We can also surmise that Russia, the U.S., and others are watching these developments closely. Russia, for instance, has traditionally excelled in electronic warfare (e.g. the Krasukha jamming systems) and the U.S. is exploring photonic radars and advanced jammers too. But until similar systems are unveiled elsewhere, China’s 6G jammer stands out as uniquely ambitious.
Interestingly, the Chinese team hints that their system, while currently demonstrated as a ground-based unit, could be adapted to mobile or airborne platforms in the future. The architecture’s reduced size and power requirements (thanks to photonic integration) might allow mounting such a jammer on vehicles, ships, or potentially large aircraft. If an airborne version were achieved, it could escort strike packages or protect key assets much like dedicated electronic attack planes do today – but with far greater effectiveness. On the other hand, deploying it on the ground in fixed sites could help shield critical areas or act as decoys by making an enemy think a whole squadron is somewhere that it isn’t. This kind of flexibility in deployment underscores a broader point–>the lines between offensive and defensive electronic warfare are blurring. A system like this 6G jammer can be used offensively (to confuse enemy defenses before an airstrike) or defensively (to cover your retreat or protect high-value targets). It essentially projects virtual forces into the battlespace. That raises the stakes for militaries to not only improve their radar tech but also their electronic counter-countermeasures – the tools to distinguish real vs fake and to resist jamming.
Veracity of the Claims and Future Outlook
Given the sensational nature of the claims – “3,600 ghost targets,” “jams the F-35,” “6G-powered weapon” – it is important to assess how much is proven versus promotional. The core information originates from credible channels: a peer-reviewed paper in a top Chinese journal and coverage by established outlets like SCMP. This lends weight to the idea that the device is real (at least as a prototype) and that its capabilities have been demonstrated under test conditions. We should be clear that no independent Western source has verified these exact performance numbers – understandably, such a system would be shrouded in secrecy beyond what the Chinese team has revealed. However, nothing in the description defies known science; on the contrary, it builds on known DRFM jamming principles and 6G telecom advances. Experts in electronic warfare find it plausible. The use of photonics to achieve high-speed, high-fidelity jamming is innovative but grounded in active research trends. In the context of truth and accuracy, we have no reason to doubt that China’s engineers achieved a device that can intercept X-band signals and replay thousands of false echoes, as they claim. The exact effectiveness of those false targets against a combat-ready F-35’s radar, of course, can only be known when and if such a confrontation occurs. It is one thing to demonstrate this in trials; it is another to use it against an enemy with counter-EW tactics. Nonetheless, U.S. defense circles are likely taking this seriously. A senior U.S. or allied radar engineer would acknowledge that photonic and 6G-based jamming represent a credible new threat to even the latest radars, and countermeasures will need to evolve in response.
The Chinese developers themselves acknowledge that the system is not yet perfect or finished. In their paper and interviews, they note that current 6G technology still faces challenges, such as balancing hardware simplification with functional performance. The prototype likely involves complex components and maybe high power consumption, which they aim to streamline. Ongoing work is focused on reducing the number of components, lowering power requirements, and improving signal quality even further. This candor is important – it shows that while the concept has been proven, it’s still in development. There may be limitations like how large the system is, how much cooling it needs, or how it performs in a cluttered real-world electromagnetic environment. It has, however, progressed to industrial testing which implies the team is refining it for practical deployment. In terms of timeline, if industrial testing is underway now (mid-2025), one might speculate that within a few years China could field an operational version, perhaps first as part of ground-based jammer brigades. The mere prospect of this is already prompting discussion among military analysts. Some have warned that such technology threatens to erode the stealth and sensor superiority that Western air forces have relied on. Indeed, if an enemy can make your $80-million stealth jet see ghosts, that’s a serious concern. Analysts caution that a fully realized 6G jammer threatens to erode the stealth advantages of fighters like the F-35, complicating the balance of air power. The U.S. and allies would need to adapt by hardening their sensors and perhaps developing 6G counter-jamming techniques of their own. This could include incorporating AI to detect patterns of spoofing, allowing the radar or sensor fusion to say “these returns look suspiciously like what a DRFM jammer would produce” and filter them out. It might also involve more robust encryption or novel waveforms for radars that a photonic jammer can’t easily mimic. There is a continual move-countermove dynamic at play – much as radar stealth led to LPI radars, which led to DRFM jammers, which now leads to photonic jammers, which will spur new anti-jamming logic, and so on.
From an intelligence analysis perspective, the unveiling of this 6G EW system is credible and significant. It aligns with China’s demonstrated strengths in electronic engineering and 5G/6G development, and it addresses a known strategic goal: countering high-end U.S. capabilities like the F-35. The technical specifics published (3,600 false targets, 300+ platform connectivity, full-duplex at 12 GHz) are remarkably detailed, which suggests the scientists are confident in their results and perhaps wanted to showcase China’s innovation. It is also telling that Chinese media and officials made this public – likely as a show of technological force. In modern warfare, dominance of the electromagnetic spectrum is as crucial as air or naval superiority. By publicizing this breakthrough, China could be sending a message to rivals that it is armed with new tools to negate their advantages. Of course, the real effectiveness will only be known in a conflict scenario, which everyone hopes to avoid. But as a deterrent, the idea of a 6G “super jammer” creates uncertainty for any adversary’s battle planning.
China’s 6G-powered electronic warfare system appears to be a real and cutting-edge development in military technology, one that marries the speed of next-gen communications with the cunning of advanced electronic deception. It can jam, it can listen, and it can create ghost armies on radar screens at will. The claim that it can “generate 3,600 ghost targets and jam an F-35” is supported by the evidence from the research, though naturally phrased in an optimistic light by Chinese sources. Even if the exact number or effect varies in practice, the capability is a game-changer. Stealth fighters and modern radars will not be invulnerable if such systems are fielded and continue to improve. This 6G EW weapon underscores how rapidly the goalposts are moving in the field of electronic warfare. As one report succinctly put it, the rise of 6G is driving a convergence of communication, radar, and jamming technologies into unified systems. We are witnessing that convergence now. Going forward, it will be imperative for militaries worldwide to invest in countermeasures – from smarter sensor algorithms to perhaps their own photonic jamming units – in order to keep pace with the new “ghosts” of the battlefield.
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