China's Type 055 Destroyer AESA Radars as ElectroMagnetic (EM) Weapons
The X-band and S-band for radars are in the microwave region. AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radars have the unique ability to focus their beam onto one spot. Thus, China's Type 055 Destroyer X-band and S-band AESA radars can be used defensively as focused microwave beam emitters.
This means China's Type 055 Destroyer X-band and S-band AESA radars can target incoming anti-ship cruise missiles with a focused-beam of microwave energy. This will destroy the missiles' electronics such as the CPU, electronic guidance system, or missile radar sensors.
Conceptually, it is similar to throwing a computer chip (such as those in a smartphone) into a microwave. Turn on the microwave to "high" and the smartphone electronics and chips are damaged.
It is known that the American F-22 can use its AESA X-band radar to damage incoming cruise missiles (see citation below). Since the X-band and S-band radars on the Chinese Type 055 Destroyer are much more massive, the Type 055 Destroyer radars should have similar capability and probably greater range. The Chinese Type 055 has larger radars and more power (which increases range), but the air is thicker at sea level (which would reduce range).
In conclusion, the Chinese Type 055 Destroyer X-band and S-band AESA radars are a third line of defense against incoming anti-ship cruise missiles. The other two defensive systems are the FL-3000N anti-missile missile launchers and the Type 1130 CIWS (close-in weapon system) gatling guns.
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"The F-22A is equipped with the most powerful active array radar ever installed in a fighter aircraft. This will provide it with unprecedented range performance, but also opens up the option of using it as a microwave directed energy weapon to disrupt opposing electronic systems. US sources indicate it will also be used to jam opposing X-band radars (C. Kopp)."
