CHINA-PLA: CHINA'S PLA INVITES TENDERS FOR TESTING LAUNCH SYSTEM FOR MAGNETISED PLASMA ARTILLERY
|
The US magazine National Interest (July 30) cited a Global Times report publicising that the PLA had recently issued a notice that "invites tenders for a theory-testing and a launch system for magnetized plasma artillery.” It said, “Although the weapon sounds as if it comes from a sci-fi movie, it will probably not shoot high-energy plasma but ultra-high velocity cannon shells.” National Interest observed that it sounds like a sort of electromagnetic rail gun—which uses magnetism instead of gunpowder to fire shells—that several nations are developing. It said Chinese military analyst Wei Dongxu told Global Times that the new technology “would extend the range of a conventional 155-millimetre self-propelled howitzer from 30 to 50 kilometres [19 to 31 miles] to 100 kilometres [62 miles]. The plasma layer might also reduce friction between the barrel and rounds, making the weapon more accurate.” It said Chinese scientists believe that magnetized plasma artillery will be so light and energy-efficient that it can be mounted on tanks. Global Times noted that a Chinese-approved patent is available on Google Patents and "the invention discloses magnetized plasma artillery".
|