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Chinese Report Stealth-Detecting Quantum Radar Enters Mass Production [thequantuminsider.com]:

Insider Brief

• Chinese researchers claim to have begun mass-producing a single-photon detector, a core component for quantum radar systems that could theoretically detect stealth aircraft.
• The device, developed at the Quantum Information Engineering Technology Research Center in Anhui province, is described as an ultra-low-noise, four-channel detector capable of isolating individual photons and resistant to electronic warfare interference.
• Defense experts caution that without live, validated trials demonstrating consistent detection under real-world conditions, China’s assertions of neutralizing American stealth technology remain speculative.
• Photo by Anna B. Meyer [unsplash.com] on Unsplash [unsplash.com]

Chinese researchers say they have begun mass-producing a “single-photon detector,” a development that could enable a so-called quantum radar system capable of tracking stealth aircraft, according to a report by the National Security Journal [nationalsecurityjournal.org], which draws on claims published in China’s own Science and Technology Daily.

According to the National Security Journal, the device — described by Chinese scientists as an ultra-low noise, four-channel single-photon detector — has entered mass production at the Quantum Information Engineering Technology Research Center in Anhui province. According to the article, the device is characterized as the core component of a future quantum-radar network, potentially defeating stealth technologies reliant on radar-absorbent coatings or air-frame shaping, such as the tech that is used in current U.S. stealth aircraft.

In theory, quantum radar uses quantum-mechanical properties — such as the indivisibility of photons — to detect objects that conventional radar might miss. Traditional radar sends out electromagnetic waves and interprets their echoes. For this, stealth aircraft reduce that echo by absorbing or deflecting radar energy. Quantum radar, on the other hand, aims to send out specially prepared photons and detect the changes in quantum properties when they return from a target. Because of the so-called no-cloning theorem of quantum mechanics, counterfeit or spoofed returns cannot exactly replicate the original quantum state. The National Security Journal article points out that detecting a single photon is “absolutely required” for any quantum-radar or quantum-communication system to work.

According to the Chinese reporting [scmp.com] cited in the article, the detector is dubbed the “photon catcher” and is reported to handle four channels of detection simultaneously, which suggests scalability and possibly use across networks.

The Science and Technology Daily article claims the development marks self-sufficiency and “international leadership” in the components of quantum information technology. If the detector’s performance and deployment match the claim, this could challenge the stealth capabilities of aircraft such as the U.S. F‑22 Raptor and F‑35 Lightning II, which rely on low radar-cross-section design, coatings and signature management.

One key reason this development matters is that, according to the National Security Journal, a quantum-radar system would theoretically be immune to many forms of electronic warfare and jamming. Conventional radar systems can be deceived or overwhelmed by jammers or spoofed signals; by contrast, a quantum radar would rely on the unique quantum state of each photon and its return. Any attempt to spoof the return would break the quantum correlation, making deception far more difficult. The article also reports that quantum radar can operate at lower emission power and remain less detectable itself, while still maintaining sensitivity—another tactical advantage.

However, the National Security Journal piece also stresses that despite the bold claims, independent verification is not available. Many technical questions remain: How far can this detector reliably work in real-world conditions? What range, resolution, and reliability does it deliver in operational environments? Previous studies [arxiv.org] of quantum radar have shown significant theoretical promise but also notable engineering hurdles.

Indian Defense News [indiandefensenews.in] reports that U.S. Space Force experts underscored the ability to use the radar in simulated conditions may or may not translate to battlefield success. Until live trials confirm consistent detection of stealth aircraft under realistic and complex conditions, China’s assertions of nullifying American stealth capabilities remain speculative, the defense experts report.

China Claims It Can Now 'Detect' F-22 Raptor Stealth Fighters [nationalsecurityjournal.org]:

An F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team pilot flies towards Joint Base Langley–Eustis, Va., March 8, 2021. The F-22 team, assigned to Air Combat Command, received fuel from the 507th Air Refueling Wing during their flight back to home station after performing at an air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Begy)

Key Points and Summary – Chinese researchers claim a major breakthrough with the mass production of a “single-photon detector,” the core component of a potential quantum radar system. This new technology would theoretically render stealth aircraft, including the U.S. F-22 and F-35, detectable by analyzing changes to individual photons that interact with an airframe.

-According to the claims, such a system would be immune to traditional jamming and electronic warfare.

-If true, this represents a game-changing development in anti-stealth capability, potentially neutralizing the primary advantage of Western airpower and challenging the viability of even next-generation fighters. Did China Find a Way to Track F-22 Stealth Fighters?

According to a report by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post [scmp.com], Chinese researchers have learned a method to detect stealth aircraft, including the U.S. F-22 Raptor [nationalsecurityjournal.org].

One of the nation’s research institutes announced it has begun mass-producing what scientists describe as the world’s first “ultra-low noise, single-photon detector.”

The device has been named a “photon catcher.” The ability to detect a single photon would be a capability on the very edge of quantum-detection technology.

Among the applications of such a device, suggest the scientists, would be quantum communication and a quantum radar for stealth aircraft detection and tracking.

The device is reportedly equipped with four channels, which, as the SCMP report reads, suggests powerful applications, from daily communications to national-defense-related sensor networks [nationalsecurityjournal.org].

The device itself was reportedly created by the Quantum Information Engineering Technology Research Center [www.ecns.cn] in Anhui province. Its claimed existence was reported Oct. 10. The hardware was described in an article published by China’s Science and Technology Daily [stdaily.com], a publication by China’s Ministry of Science and Technology [most.gov.cn]. Use Of Photons for Target Detection

According to what is essentially the Ministry’s newspaper, China [nationalsecurityjournal.org] has “achieved self-sufficiency and international leadership in the core components for quantum information technology [scmp.com].”

A single-photon detector, as its product description explains, is an ultra-sensitive device capable of detecting individual photons.

The research institute claims the device it has developed is capable of isolating just one photon, a process so complicated and requiring measurement algorithms of such precision that the process has been likened to “distinguishing the sound of a single grain of sand falling amid a thunderstorm.”

The ability to detect individual photons would permit even extremely weak energy signals to be isolated and identified. This level of precision is absolutely required of any quantum radar and quantum communication system.

Is the F-22 No Longer Invisible?

American stealth aircraft, such as the F-22 and F-35 [nationalsecurityjournal.org], rely on special coatings and airframe designs [nationalsecurityjournal.org] to either absorb radar waves or deflect them away from the radar that emitted the original signal.

This makes them largely invisible to conventional radar systems [nationalsecurityjournal.org].

Quantum radar operates in a completely different manner. If a stealth aircraft interacts with photons that have been emitted by the radar, those photons’ original quantum properties will be altered.

According to what is known as the no-cloning theorem of quantum mechanics [quera.com], any artificial or spoofing signals emitted by any aircraft cannot precisely replicate any original photons’ physical properties [nationalsecurityjournal.org].

Quantum radar would be capable of analyzing the positions and states of any reflected photons, and thereby effectively detect any attempt at deception.

This technique would greatly ease the detection of any low-visibility or low radar-cross-section targets.

To use electronic warfare (EW) technique to explain, there is no way to mimic the reflection of a photon in the way a Digital Radio Frequency Memory [mrcy.com] jammer “parrots” back a conventional radar signal to avoid detection [nationalsecurityjournal.org].

Quantum radar also consumes relatively little power, allowing it to be installed and operated across multiple platforms. Its low-energy emissions also make the radar itself hard to detect. Due to the principles on which it operates, it is also almost unaffected by EW signals or other electromagnetic emissions. Highly Effective EW is No Protection

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is one of several air forces that operate the advanced Dassault Rafale [nationalsecurityjournal.org] fighter made in France.

That aircraft is categorized as a 4++-generation combat aircraft and is equipped with what has been rated as one of the most effective EW suites ever designed. Its manufacturers like to say it is the most survivable non-stealthy aircraft in the world.

But should the IAF, or any other air force relying on robust EW systems to ensure the survivability of its fighters, become involved In a conflict with China, this quantum-radar technology would defeat it.

The Rafale’s on-board EW would have no effect in preventing quantum radar from detecting these aircraft.

In such a situation, ground-based air defense systems would have a field day.

Suppose the claims by the Chinese research center are accurate. In that case, this innovation casts doubt on the efficacy of not only existing fighter aircraft but also the sixth-generation fighters [nationalsecurityjournal.org] currently under development. About the Author: Reuben F. Johnson

Reuben F. Johnson [pulaski.pl] has thirty-six years of experience analyzing and reporting on foreign weapons systems, defense technologies, and international arms export policy. Johnson is the Director of the Asia Research Centre at the Casimir Pulaski Foundation [pulaski.pl]. He is also a survivor of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He worked for years in the American defense industry as a foreign technology analyst and later as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Defense, the Departments of the Navy and Air Force, and the governments of the United Kingdom and Australia. In 2022-2023, he won two awards in a row for his defense reporting. He holds a bachelor’s degree from DePauw University and a master’s degree from Miami University in Ohio, specializing in Soviet and Russian studies. He lives in Warsaw.

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