China has reached a critical milestone in quantum radar technology, which is claimed to detect American-made stealth fighter jets such as the F-22 and F-35. The start of mass production of the sensor, dubbed the “photon hunter,” could mark the beginning of a new era in stealth technology.
China has announced that it has begun mass production of a quantum radar sensor called the “photon hunter,” marking a revolutionary step in military radar technology. The sensor is reportedly capable of detecting U.S.-made stealth fighter jets such as the F-22 and F-35.
According to experts, this development could represent a turning point for stealth technology, which has been built on the principle of invisibility for decades. It is noted that quantum radar systems have the potential to detect not only stealth aircraft but also nuclear submarines. This could make China’s early warning and air defence systems a global game changer.
According to the military technology platform Interesting Engineering, the newly developed device stands out as the world’s first four-channel, ultra-low-noise photon detector. The South China Morning Post reported that the detector was developed at the Quantum Information Engineering Research Centre in Anhui Province and is capable of detecting even a single photon.
Unlike today’s conventional radar principles, the quantum radar system operates differently. Traditional radars struggle to detect stealth aircraft due to radar-absorbing coatings, internally concealed weapon systems, and signal-diffusing surface designs.
However, quantum radar analyses the quantum state change that occurs when a transmitted photon strikes the surface of an aircraft. By comparing it with its paired photon, detection becomes possible even if the aircraft employs stealth countermeasures.
Experts emphasise that “the quantum signature of a photon cannot be hidden,” highlighting that this technology could initiate a profound transformation in radar and defence systems in the future.
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