• After America abandoned development of its ‘dream shell’, Chinese scientists now claim they have managed to create it
  • The shell travels at Mach 7 while receiving satellite navigation signals and maintains an error margin of less than 15 metres (49 feet)

source URL (paywalled): https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3249048/chinese-scientists-bring-us-navys-dream-bullet-life

  • citrussy_capybara [ze/hir]
    ·
    edit-2
    11 months ago

    https://archive.is/oEEO9

    In the paper, Feng and his colleagues disclosed a novel antenna design that can resist strong electromagnetic radiation while receiving high-precision positioning signals from the BeiDou military frequency band.

    They also provided detailed information on the special internal structure of the BeiDou signal receiver. During the launch of a shell, this receiver endures a force exceeding 25,000 times that of Earth’s gravity. Any flaw in its construction, such as the disconnection of wire interfaces, could lead the shell astray. Also, as the shell hurtles through the air, it generates intense heat due to friction. To counter this, the Chinese scientists used a cost-effective, mass-produced aerogel – a remarkable feat of engineering – as a thermal barrier.

    The navigation software for the weapon posed another significant hurdle. Unlike the steady course a vehicle takes on a road, shells whirl and sway erratically during flight, especially when altering course in varying air densities. To mitigate this issue, the team devised a straightforward, yet potent, algorithm that ensures uninterrupted satellite communication throughout the shell’s trajectory.

    Papers published by Chinese military scientists in open academic journals undergo rigorous security checks. It is unclear why China chose to disclose this progress at this time.

    “Why would China open science instead of hiding tech like amerikkka?”

    • GaveUp [she/her]
      ·
      11 months ago

      This is great, it doesn't really matter that much if US can copy this technology because they already have complete dominance on naval power projection and artillery superiority against 99% of the world. The more countries opposed to US that can build this technology, the smaller America's military advantage becomes

    • emizeko [they/them]
      hexagon
      ·
      edit-2
      11 months ago

      the post link is an archive URL: https://archive.is/ki9Dp

      • citrussy_capybara [ze/hir]
        ·
        11 months ago

        ah, didn’t notice, Lemmy needs to be better with showing links/previews from links like archives

        • emizeko [they/them]
          hexagon
          ·
          11 months ago

          yeah I probably should have posted the SCMP URL for the preview and put the archive link in the body text

    • RyanGosling [none/use name]
      ·
      10 months ago

      I mean I’m sure it’s partially meant to brag and warn.

      Though the US government has a shortage of mandarin speakers and all their spies in china have been executed a few years ago, so the unit translating and interpreting these scientific articles must be very tiny and likely get little attention from the big brass. The majority of Americans will scoff because they believe that Chinese people still live in huts. It’s basically a futile attempt at bragging because China’s enemies are incompetent and victims of racism by their bosses lol