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A Quantum Radar Component Designed to Track US Stealth Jets Is Being Mass Produced in China

Chinese Quantum Radar

Beijing is mass-producing a quantum radar component to monitor stealth aircraft like the F-22 Raptor. This achievement corresponds with US clearance of the Navy's sixth-generation fighter jet program, which has expanded capabilities. China's quantum radar improvements may worry the US and its allies, who are preparing sixth-generation aircraft for air superiority.

The ultrasensitive "Photon Catcher"

One-photon detectors, vital to quantum radar systems that could identify stealth aircraft, are apparently being mass-produced by Chinese experts. China's Science and Technology Daily and other publications reported that the device is already in mass production at the Quantum Information Engineering Technology Research Centre in Anhui province.

The authors characterise the component as an ultra-low noise, four-channel single-photon detector. Beijing asserts that the device is the world's "first" ultra-low noise, four-channel single-photon detector, implying a wide range of uses from defence to communication.

The detector is also known as the "photon catcher." According to reports, the device is incredibly sensitive and can detect even a single photon, which is an energy particle. The ability to detect a single photon is a special capability required to ensure that even the smallest signals can be recognised and tracked. The massive task of differentiating between the sound of a single grain of sand falling in the middle of a torrential downpour and intense lightning strikes has been likened to the task of extracting a single photon. When a human looks at anything, many photons enter the eye simultaneously, creating a single image.

In order to achieve self-sufficiency and "international leadership" in the essential components of quantum computing technology, Beijing views the mass production of this incredibly sensitive device as a crucial first step.

Comparing Stealth Technology and Quantum Radar

Quantum radar operates on a completely different principle than conventional radar systems. Modern stealth jets, such as the F-22 and F-35 fighters used by the US, employ special surface coatings, internal weapons bays, and specific design configurations to either absorb or deflect electromagnetic signals from traditional radars. Even if these strategies help stealth jets escape traditional systems to some extent, the introduction of quantum radars may change the rules in the long run.

The indivisibility of photons is one of the quantum-mechanical properties that quantum radar exploits to identify targets that conventional radar might miss. Instead of analysing the echoes of electromagnetic waves, quantum radar employs specially prepared photons to detect them. When these photons strike the stealth aircraft, their quantum properties change.

After striking the stealth aircraft, these photons undergo a shift in their quantum properties. The position of the stealth planes can be ascertained once the radar system has analysed these returning single-unit photons. One significant purported advantage is that even fake signals generated by the stealth jet would not be able to precisely match the distinct quantum properties of the photons first released by the quantum radar. This efficiency against deceiving is due to the no-cloning theorem in quantum mechanics, which prohibits spoof or fake returns from accurately reproducing the original quantum state.

Benefits of Tactics and System Scaling

There is a lot of tactical potential in this technology. Theoretically, a quantum radar system cannot be jammed or exposed to various forms of electronic warfare. Since quantum radars rely on the unique quantum states of each photon return, any attempt to spoof the signal would destroy the quantum correlation, making deception far more difficult than with conventional radar systems, which are susceptible to jamming or spoofing signals.

It is also claimed that these quantum radars are easy to install on a range of platforms and consume less power. The ability to maintain sensitivity while operating at a lower emission power, which lowers the quantum radar system's detectability, is another tactical advantage. The device also promises improved detection of low-visibility targets.

These capabilities are further enhanced by the new four-channel detector. Its capacity to handle four detection channels simultaneously suggests scalability and potential network applications. This enhancement makes it possible to detect signals from as many light sources or from different places inside the source more successfully. This design significantly improves the radar's detection and tracking capabilities while also significantly increasing the imaging rate.

A quantum radar device developed in China years ago was capable of detecting things up to 62 miles (100 km) distant. These present capabilities might be enhanced by the new four-channel detector. China claims that the new four-channel detector is only a ninth of the size of other single-channel devices already available on the global market. The involved scientists hope to use this technology to create in-house solutions for future quantum communication networks.

Science and Technology Daily, connected with China's Ministry of Science and Technology, disclosed the photon catcher's full results.

Independent Verification Required

Despite China's bold pledges, especially about leading the world, defence experts remain apprehensive. Reports state that these claims have not yet been independently verified.

Defence analysts say that until live, validated testing demonstrates continuous detection of stealth aircraft under complex and realistic scenarios, China's claims of neutralising American stealth capabilities must be considered hypothetical. There are still many technical problems and worries about the device's resolution, durability, and practical operating range under actual operating settings.