Next Big Future April 14, 2018 China has implemented metamaterials for enemy radar absorption and improved active radar, deployed a railgun to a navy ship before the United States, will have an operational hypersonic missile before the USA, making large investments in artificial intelligence, quantum computer and other quantum technologies. These show that China is competitive with the USA in science and technology for military systems. They are able to build, upgrade and incorporate the new technology with more flexibility and speed than the US… read more.
Category Archives: Military technology
Lightweight metal foam blocks blastwave, debris from high-explosive rounds
Science Daily March 26, 2018 A team of researchers in the US (North Carolina State University, US Army) found that steel-CMF (composite metal foam) offers much more protection than all other existing armor materials while lowering the weight remarkably. In tests the steel-CMF held up against the wave of blast pressure and against the copper and steel fragments created by the exploding round, as well as aluminum from the strikeplate. When compared to the experimental results, their model matched very closely. The experimental and analytical results are proving that novel CMF material can be the solution for the pressing need […]
How We Reverse Engineered the Cuban “Sonic Weapon” Attack
Eurekalert March 15, 2018 An international team of researchers (USA – University of Michigan, China) analysed a video sent by AP in which they heard a piercing, metallic sound. The spectral plot of the recording revealed a spectral peak near 7 kilohertz and a dozen other less-intense tones that formed a regular pattern with peaks separated by approximately 180 hertz. Based on their prior research the researchers hypothesized that intermodulation distortion can produce several by-products at other frequencies when multiple tones of different frequencies travel through air. Their math leads them to believe that intermodulation distortion is a likely culprit […]
DARPA Seeks to Expand Real-Time Radiological Threat Detection to Include Other Dangers
DARPA News February 20, 2018 DARPA announced its SIGMA+ program, an expansion of the existing SIGMA program. The program calls for the development of highly sensitive detectors and advanced intelligence analytics to detect minute traces of various substances related to WMD threats. SIGMA+ will use a common network infrastructure and mobile sensing strategy. The detection network would be scalable to cover a major metropolitan city and its surrounding region. The program is structured around two Phases. The first phase focuses on developing novel sensors for chemicals, explosives, and biological agents, the second phase focuses on network development, analytics, and integration. […]
New technology may protect troops from blast-induced brain injury
Science Daily February 26, 2018 Researchers at the University of Maryland developed highly advanced shock absorber designs that incorporate polyurea-coated tubes and other structures to reduce the blast acceleration experienced by vehicle occupants by up to 80 percent. It spreads out the application of force. Polyurea is compressible and rebounds following compression, resulting in an excellent ability to decrease the acceleration. The research has produced new insights into the causes of TBI experienced by vehicle occupants, even in the absence of significant pressure changes… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
China’s inexpensive missile firing drones and long duration solar drone
Next Big Future February 28, 2018 China’s domestically-produced UAV Caihong 4 (CH-4) is an upgraded version of the model which was first produced in 2015. The CH-4 can conduct effective air strikes on more targets, from longer distances with faster reaction. The drone flew for 15 hours, 20 kilometers above sea level well within near space. It is designed to reach altitudes of 65 km and fly for weeks on end. The plane can shoot 50-kilogram cluster bombs and an assortment of guided missiles… read more… read more.
The USA is no longer guaranteed future military technology dominance
Next Big Future February 17, 2018 According to the IISS 2018 Military Balance, annual assessment of the military capabilities and defense economics of 171 countries, the West no longer has a monopoly on world-leading defense innovation and production or the funds to enable these. Indeed, China might be the one to leap ahead. For the past three decades, air dominance has been a key advantage for the US and its allies. This can no longer be assumed. The availability of affordable and competitive military technology will also be exported to other countries…read more.
China will fortify islands with railguns, drones, missiles and stealthy planes
Next Big Future February 17, 2018 By 2022, China should have twenty fortified islands in the South China Sea. This will be up from about 7 to 12 today. China should have over fifty fortified islands by 2030. Dozens of man-made islands with railguns and planes will make it impossible for the US to defeat the defenses using conventional forces. The US would have to use nuclear weapons to overcome those defenses… read more.