China tests first quantum radar, after first hack-free satellite

After launching the world’s first hack-free satellite, China has tested its first quantum radar which could detect objects, including stealth aircraft, within the range of 100 kilometres.

The first Chinese quantum radar was developed by the Intelligent Perception Technology Laboratory of the 14^th Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), Russian media quoted Chinese media reports.

The radar was tested in mid-August, Russia Today quoted Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency as saying.

The system was able to detect a target at a range of 100 kms in a real-world environment, the report said.

The device employs single photon detection technology.

Quantum radar is a device that uses quantum entanglement photons to provide better detection capabilities than conventional radar systems.

The method would be useful for tracking targets with a low radar cross section, such as modern aircraft using stealth technology or targets employing active countermeasures to jam or baffle enemy radar, it said.

The technology may also find use in biomedicine, since quantum radar requires lower energy and can be used to non-invasively probe for objects with low reflectivity, such as cancer cells.

Earlier, China launched the world’s first quantum communications satellite, which uses quantum entanglement for cryptography.