A report published by the Italian website Scenari Economici and authored by journalist Fabio Lugano sheds light on a new weapon developed by China: a graphite bomb, presented as a formidable strategic tool capable of paralyzing entire nations—without spilling a single drop of blood.
Dubbed a “silent bomb” or “blackout bomb,” this weapon—previously tested by other powers in past conflicts—has drawn renewed attention following its recent broadcast by Chinese state television CCTV.
The network released striking footage of a missile test carried out by Chinese forces, in which a precision-guided missile disperses 90 cylindrical submunitions filled with chemically treated carbon filaments.
An Invisible but Electric Threat
These microscopic filaments, which are highly conductive, are designed to trigger massive short circuits across electrical networks: transformers, distribution stations, and vital infrastructure. A single attack can cover up to 10,000 square meters, instantly knocking out power in an entire urban area.
According to the report, the warhead weighs 490 kg and can hit targets up to 290 kilometers away. If verified, this range would allow China to strike critical infrastructure in neighboring countries—without crossing borders.
The weapon is believed to have been developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, a major conglomerate closely tied to the Chinese Ministry of Defense. Although not officially named, many experts consider it a Chinese version of the American BLU-114/B, used by the United States in Iraq and Serbia to disable up to 85% of an enemy’s electrical capacity during the early stages of conflict.
Taiwan in the Crosshairs?
Beyond the technological implications, the geopolitical message is clear. Analysts widely see Taiwan as a potential target in a future confrontation with Beijing. Disabling its power grid at the onset of hostilities would give China a major strategic edge—without the immediate use of force.
According to Fabio Lugano, such a “non-lethal” first strike would allow China to weaken an adversary while avoiding the fallout of a direct military confrontation, especially under the watchful eye of the international community.
Toward a Doctrine of Non-Kinetic Warfare
The graphite bomb reflects a doctrinal shift in modern warfare, long theorized by Chinese military strategists. In 2017, analyst Chen Chundi described such weapons as “ideal for bypassing the strongest defenses and achieving paralysis by targeting systems of command, communication, intelligence, and surveillance.”
This doctrine operates on a simple premise: there is no need to destroy a country militarily if its vital functions can be neutralized. In this context, targeting electrical and digital infrastructures becomes central in what are known as hybrid wars.
Earlier Chinese military circles had already studied similar bombs, but the footage released by CCTV suggests significant advances in precision, range, and impact. Some experts even point to satellite-guided systems that could improve the submunitions’ trajectory and effectiveness.
The partial unveiling of this weapon indicates that China is moving toward an asymmetric technological strategy, focused on neutralizing adversaries’ capabilities rather than engaging in direct destruction.
A Silent War in the Age of Tech Vulnerability
As tensions between China and the U.S., and between China and Taiwan, continue to mount, the graphite bomb seems perfectly tailored to a new generation of warfare—where sabotage replaces conventional strikes.
More broadly, this evolution raises alarm bells for nations heavily dependent on digital and energy infrastructure—especially in Europe and the Global South—where vulnerabilities to electromagnetic or cyber-attacks are high, and cyber-energy resilience is increasingly a matter of national security.
This is a war with no sounds, no flames… but definitely not without consequences.
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