China allegedly tests 'Dream Shell,' soars it at Mach 7 speeds

[Beijingwalker]

China allegedly tests 'Dream Shell,' soars it at Mach 7 speeds​

Chinese scientists have developed a hypersonic "smart" shell that can change its attack angle mid-flight at hypersonic speeds, according to Chinese media sources,
Christopher McFadden
Published: Jan 22, 2024 08:32 AM EST
MILITARY



Chinese scientists have allegedly developed a "smart" shell that can travel at Mach 7 and change its flight plan via satellite navigation, reports the South China Morning Post (SCMP). Supposedly inspired by America's plans for a "dream shell," the new projectile can reliably hit targets within a 50-foot (15-meter) radius. All this while traveling at around 8,202 feet per second (2,500 meters per second).

A revolutionary ordinance​

A powerful electromagnetic gun drives the "smart" shell and can "reliably" receive signals from the BeiDou satellite navigation system. While its claimed precision is insufficient for hitting small moving targets like tanks, the technology should be more than enough for larger targets such as warships or ports.

The "dream shell" concept was first introduced by the US Navy in 2012, to launch a projectile using electromagnetic rail guns or coil guns, which would then travel at a phenomenal speed of Mach 5, guided by GPS signals. The US military had planned to create and test-fire a shell using an electromagnetic gun within five years. However, the deadline passed, and as of 2017, research on the shell was still ongoing, according to some reports from US media.

By 2021, the US military had abandoned the electromagnetic gun program, and there is currently no publicly available information regarding the fate of the GPS-guided shell project. However, Northrop Grumman has been contracted to develop a guided "Smart" 57mm shell for the US Navy. Other examples include the M928 "Excalibur" 1550mm extended-range guided artillery shell currently in service. However, both of these are fired from conventional guns, not electromagnetic ones.

The Chinese one, however, has been developed, so SCMP reports without external guidance. "We had no guidance, not even a cursory introduction to guided missile navigation systems, especially the satellite navigation component," wrote the team led by Feng Junhong with the National Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Energy at the Naval University of Engineering in a paper published in the Journal of the Naval University of Engineering in November, SCMP reports.

Electromagnetic launch weapons have the potential to revolutionize the battlefield by providing a cost-effective way to deliver a barrage of shells while maintaining the accuracy and range of missiles. During launch, electromagnetic fields generated by these weapons can damage delicate electronic components such as chips and antennas. Scientists and engineers worldwide, including those in China, have been vexed by the dilemma of creating "smart" shells that both receive weak satellite signals and maintain electromagnetic shielding capabilities.

In their paper, Feng et al. revealed a new antenna design that can withstand strong electromagnetic radiation while receiving highly accurate positioning signals from the BeiDou military frequency band. The experts shared an in-depth insight into the unique internal design of the BeiDou signal receiver. When a shell is launched, this receiver has to withstand a force that is more than 25,000 times the gravity of Earth.

As the shell travels through the air, it generates intense heat due to friction. To prevent this, Chinese scientists used aerogel as a thermal barrier - a cost-effective and mass-produced material.

Still an unknown quantity​

This news comes in light of other alleged Chinese Navy breakthroughs in electromagnetic weapons, including energy storage systems, alloy material coatings, control and monitoring systems, and continuous firing tests. Although their combat performance has yet to be confirmed, some war simulations suggest that these weapons could challenge the traditional military advantages of Western countries.

 

[Beijingwalker]

Chinese Develops Smart Shell For Kinetic Energy Weapons, Reshaping Military Landscape​

ByMI News NetworkJanuary 24, 2024

CHINA has reportedly created a dream bullet capable of reaching speeds of about 5,300mph and changing direction via the SatNav signals.

Designed exclusively for kinetic energy weapons, this bullet can quickly be fired from a railgun and can travel almost 8,200 feet in one second.

The weapon of destruction can stably receive signals from the satellite navigation system and adjust its flight path continually. Consequently, it maintains an error of less than 49 feet — the highest duration any technical system can fail without contractual consequences — until it hits the target.

However, the new toy is based on earlier designs from the US military.

Famous as the “dream shell”, initial development strategies were introduced in 2012 before America decided to abandon them by 2021. And even though there is no available information on the fate of this GPS-guided shell assignment, China’s naval scientists state that they have developed it, reported the South China Morning Post. In a paper published in the Journal of Naval University of Engineering in November 2023, the team stated that while the West might have received a head start in research, they got no help from foreign nations.

Representation Image
There was no guidance, not even an introduction to the concept of guided missile navigation systems, particularly the satellite navigation component, per the team. Spearheaded by Feng Junhong with the National Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Energy at the Naval University of Engineering, the expert team might have reshaped the larger military landscape. In August, it was declared that the Chinese military was examining the most powerful gun in the world that can launch shells at a speed of 2,200 mph.

Popular as a coilgun, the futuristic sci-fi weapon is capable of firing a projectile nearly missile size in seconds as it lays a path for more accurate and catastrophic attacks. While electromagnetic launch weapons can successfully deliver a barrage of cost-effective shells, they maintain missiles’ long-range and precision capabilities. However, an intense electromagnetic field generated during the launch can have everlasting impacts on delicate electronic components like antennas and chips. But these “smart” shells must also be able to receive weak satellite signals.

Such a contradiction with electromagnetic shielding skills has stumped scientists as well as engineers all over the world, including those who are in China. In the research paper, Feng’s team disclosed a novel antenna design capable of resisting powerful electromagnetic radiation when receiving high-precision positioning signals via the BeiDou military frequency band.

The naval scientists shared details of the unique internal structure of the BeiDou signal receiver. But there are problems to be addressed when the shell launches. First, the shell receiver is subjected to a force that is more than 25,000 times that of Earth’s gravity; thus, any flaw in its design might lead it to malfunction.

There is the issue of the shell resulting in intense heat owing to friction as it hurtles in the air. To counter the problems, Chinese scientists used a cost-effective but mass-produced aerogel as a thermal barrier.

In response, the Chinese researchers employed a mass-produced, reasonably priced aerogel as a thermal barrier. Another major problem is the navigation software, causing the shells to swirl and move wildly during flight. Feng and his coworkers have addressed the issue by developing a simple algorithm that protects satellite communication from disruptions throughout the shell’s journey.

Chinese Develops Smart Shell For Kinetic Energy Weapons, Reshaping Military Landscape

CHINA has reportedly created a dream bullet that is capable of reaching speeds of about 5,300mph and changing direction via the SatNav signals.

www.marineinsight.com

 

[Lapdog]

Now china’s enemy have to think not twice but thrice before declare war. Hit this hard on the Taiwan one day.

 

[Nuffle]

Now china’s enemy have to think not twice but thrice before declare war. Hit this hard on the Taiwan one day.

China still has a long way to go to catch up to the US.