China Develops Weapon to Destroy Enemy Energy
The Chinese defense industry is actively developing concepts for weapons of various classes. For example, several years ago, research began in the field of special weapons to combat the enemy's energy infrastructure. One such project has now reached the stage where it can be presented to the public.
Demonstration of the concept
As always, China develops new weapons in a closed mode. New projects are launched without prior public announcement, and the first information about them is published after some progress has been made. This is what happened with the new munition for combating energy.
On June 26, 2025, Chinese state television channel CCTV showed an animated video about a new development by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). It showed a simulated combat use of a previously unknown missile against an electrical substation of a simulated enemy. It also provided some characteristics of the weapon and described its overall potential.
Animators showed the launch of a promising missile from a ground launcher. On the descending part of the trajectory, the missile opened its cluster warhead and ejected the warheads, which reached their target in free fall.
Opening the cassette
Cylindrical submunitions fell on an electrical substation, bounced off the surface and exploded in the air. In doing so, some small striking elements were released. They immediately caused a short circuit in the electrical systems of the substation, disabled it and caused some damage to the conventional enemy.
CASC and CCTV have received permission to publish the first information about the new project, but all its details have not yet been disclosed. The designation of this project is unknown, there is no information about the reasons for its appearance and the course of development. Also, all tactical and technical characteristics are not disclosed.
Perhaps the developer corporation will soon share new details, but so far only a few fragmentary data are available. However, there are already opportunities for the first estimates and forecasts. In addition, parallels can be drawn with well-known examples of foreign development.
Technical appearance
Apparently, CASC developed a specialized warhead in its new project. Such a product can be integrated with any carriers, and only one of the options for its use was shown in a recent video. At the same time, it is easy to notice that the missile system from the video is conditional.
Falling and rebounding of submunitions
The video showed the missile being launched from a ground-based launcher similar to the S-300/400 or Hongqi-9 anti-aircraft systems. The missile also resembles some existing models in appearance - it has an elongated cylindrical body, an X-shaped low aspect ratio wing and tail rudders.
The most interesting part is the cluster warhead shown. It contains 90 small cylindrical submunitions. Apparently, each such product has a main combat load and an additional charge for bouncing after contact with the surface. The total mass of the entire combat load is 490 kg.
When detonated, the submunition has a small high explosive and fragmentation effect on the target. At the same time, it scatters carbon "striking elements" around itself - small scraps of thin threads or other fragments. Carbon fragments should fall on wires or get inside various devices and equipment.
Due to high electrical conductivity, threads and other fragments should cause a short circuit. In this case, high-voltage equipment operating under heavy load suffers significant damage and is put out of order. With a high degree of probability, the transformer or other device will then be unrepairable.
The cluster architecture of the new munition should ensure the destruction of targets over a large area. CASC claims that 90 submunitions with optimal dispersion will be able to destroy objects over an area of at least 10 thousand square meters - 100 x 100 meters.
Detonation of combat elements after rebound
Experience of the past
It should be noted that the special ammunition project from CASC is not a fundamentally new development. Similar projects have been created both in China and abroad. Moreover, some samples of such weapons have even reached combat use and demonstrated their capabilities.
The first mentions of Chinese ammunition for the destruction of electrical infrastructure date back to the second half of the 2010s. At that time, various media outlets reported on their appearance and adoption. However, no details were published then or later. Perhaps these were just rumors. At the same time, it cannot be ruled out that it was during that period that the work began, the result of which was the current project of a special cluster warhead.
Unlike China, the United States did not hide its developments in this area. Back in the 114s, they created and adopted the BLU-XNUMX/B combat element, which received the unofficial name "graphite bomb". It was intended for use with different types of cassettes in ammunition for aviation and on cruise missiles.
The BLU-114/B element had a compact metal case with a parachute for descent. Inside were a propellant charge and small spools of thin graphite thread. After exiting the cassette, such a munition was supposed to descend by parachute and shoot down the spools. The threads were supposed to straighten out, break and fly apart, covering the selected target.
Result of impact on substation
According to available data, BLU-114/B submunitions were first used in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm. They were delivered to Iraqi energy facilities using sea-based Tomahawk missiles. It was reported that at least 80-85 percent of the infrastructure was temporarily disabled.
Two strikes using "graphite bombs" took place in 1999 as part of Operation Allied Force. On May 2, F-117A aircraft attacked Yugoslav targets and disabled about 70% of the country's energy supply. Repairs and restoration of the energy supply took about a day. However, on May 7, a new strike took place with the same results.
In late March 2003, BLU-114/Bs with various delivery systems were again used against Iraqi targets. As before, the high effectiveness of such weapons and their contribution to the overall success of the offensive operation were reported.
Special tool
It is well known that China is developing a wide variety of weapons and is trying to cover all relevant areas and niches. Now it has become known that its industry has not ignored the concept of a "graphite bomb" for destroying the enemy's energy infrastructure.
The possible development of such weapons was reported several years ago, but confirmed information has only appeared now. From the published data it follows that a 490-kg cluster warhead with a special submunition, probably compatible with different carriers, was developed.
American-made BLU-114/B combat element. With markings — assembled product. Next to it are elements of the case. Above — translucent package with spools of graphite thread
It can be expected that in the near future the CASC corporation will complete the development of the new project and conduct the promising warhead through the necessary tests. Then the "graphite bomb" will have a chance to enter service with the People's Liberation Army of China. In what form such a system will be produced and operated is unknown.
It is quite clear what capabilities the PLA will receive with the new ammunition. It will be able to use aviation and missile strike systems to quickly and reliably disable the enemy's energy. As American experience shows, such weapons are highly effective and are capable of solving their tasks.
However, other foreign experience shows the redundancy of such measures. Thus, the Russian army during the current Special Operation demonstrated that energy infrastructure can be massively and effectively destroyed by weapons with "conventional" high-explosive fragmentation warheads. At the same time, the physical destruction of such targets makes their restoration and return to operation even more difficult.
Apparently, PLA specialists have studied the existing needs and capabilities and have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to create specialized ammunition designed to destroy energy. The first results of such work were recently presented by Chinese television, and real samples may appear soon.
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