China has reportedly built a hypersonic generator that could potentially power unimaginable weapons in the future. According to a new peer-reviewed paper in the Chinese Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, a formidable explosion inside a shock tunnel can turn hot gas into the most powerful hypersonic generator that the military has ever seen, as reported by the SCMP. This generator could be strong enough to charge military lasers, rail guns, microwave weapons, and more.
Chinese scientists were able to use a controlled detonation to turn hot gas into a plasma filled with racing ions, which then converted to current. With shock waves accelerating compressed argon gas to 14 times the speed of sound, the charged ion-filled plasma then passed through magnetohydrodynamics generators to produce electric current up to 212 kilowatts while using only .26 gallons of gas. This is enough power for a burst of energy unlike anything available now in a compact system.
However, China is not yet ready to deploy this new system, as there are logistical hurdles to overcome in terms of transporting a device that requires controlled detonation, as well as handling the gas needed for a second charge when on the move. Nevertheless, if the next iteration of the science offers up an automated reloading of the technology, China’s hypersonic weapons could receive a colossal burst of power.
The development of this hypersonic generator is significant because hypersonic weapons travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound. This makes them extremely difficult to detect and defend against, and they have been dubbed the “ultimate game-changer” in modern warfare. By powering hypersonic weapons with a compact and powerful hypersonic generator, China could potentially gain a significant military advantage.
However, the development of hypersonic weapons has also raised concerns about their destabilizing effect on global security. The United States, Russia, and China are all racing to develop hypersonic weapons, and the fear is that they could trigger a new arms race that could lead to dangerous escalation. The development of hypersonic weapons is also complicated by the fact that their high speed makes them difficult to control and steer, raising the risk of accidents or unintentional strikes.
In conclusion, the development of a hypersonic generator that could potentially power unimaginable weapons is a significant development in military technology. While China is not yet ready to deploy this new system, its potential to power hypersonic weapons could give it a significant military advantage in the future. However, the development of hypersonic weapons also raises concerns about their destabilizing effect on global security and the risk of an arms race.
