China reveals advanced graphite bomb capable of disabling entire power networks

China’s state broadcaster has unveiled a video revealing what appears to be a new type of graphite bomb. 

China’s state broadcaster CCTV released a video showcasing what appears to be a new graphite bomb designed to disrupt enemy power stations and cause a “complete loss of electricity” across targeted areas, Caliber.Az reports via South China Morning Post. 

The animated clip showed the weapon being launched from a land vehicle, releasing 90 cylinder-shaped submunitions that bounce on impact before detonating mid-air, dispersing fine, chemically treated carbon filaments meant to short-circuit high-voltage electrical infrastructure.

According to CCTV, the weapon aims to cripple enemy command and control by causing widespread blackouts over an area of at least 10,000 square meters (107,639 sq ft). The broadcaster cited the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), affiliated with China’s Ministry of National Defence, but provided no specific details on the weapon’s designation or deployment status. CCTV described it as “a mysterious type of domestically made missile,” though the weapon’s features closely resemble known graphite bombs.

The video states the weapon has a range of 290 km (180 miles) and a warhead weighing 490 kg (1,080 lbs), suitable for striking military substations and other key electrical infrastructure. Comments under the video speculated on its potential use against Taiwan’s power grid.

Public information on the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) graphite bombs remains scarce. In 2017, Chen Chundi, editor of Modern Ships magazine, called graphite bombs “game-changing” weapons that focus on disabling enemy systems rather than direct combat. Chen noted that these bombs could bypass fortified targets by targeting critical command, control, communications, and intelligence networks.

Chen confirmed the PLA already uses earlier, less powerful versions of the bombs and mentioned potential integration with satellite-guided munitions for increased precision. “In the future, this weapon will likely be adapted for Chinese cruise missiles, delivering devastating effects in wartime,” he said.

Graphite bombs have been employed by the US military as well. During the Iraq war, Tomahawk missiles with BLU-114/B graphite warheads disabled 85 per cent of the country’s power grid, plunging key military and government sites into darkness. In the Kosovo conflict, US F-117 stealth fighters dropped similar bombs, crippling 70 per cent of Serbia’s electrical infrastructure and pressuring Belgrade to comply with NATO demands.

By Naila Huseynova