Rear Admiral Ma Weiming, a prominent figure in China's naval technology development, has recently unveiled the conceptual blueprint of an unprecedented warship, claiming it to be unlike any vessel ever seen before.
Ma boldly stated that this innovative creation would completely revolutionize the combat formation of naval fleets that has remained largely unchanged for over a century, according to a report by SCMP.
Chinese Supership Concept
Traditional naval combat platforms, such as aircraft carrier groups, have become increasingly complex due to the multitude of tasks they are expected to fulfill.
This complexity hampers their ability to effectively coordinate actions while burdening them with exorbitant costs for construction and operation.
However, the Chinese "supership" proposed by Ma and his colleagues presents a promising solution. The cutting-edge design integrates electromagnetic weapons with a powerful nuclear-powered electrical system, boasting the potential to replace an entire carrier fleet.
Unlike conventional aircraft carriers, primarily providing air support for naval operations, this futuristic warship carries many aircraft while employing advanced electromagnetic weaponry.
By performing the traditional tasks of a fleet of conventional ships, this all-purpose supership possesses the potential to reshape naval warfare. Its electric launch missile system, utilizing electromagnetic energy to launch missiles, offers significant advantages over traditional systems.
Automatic reloading capabilities allow for the rapid and sustained firing of missiles, presenting a formidable challenge for opposing aircraft carrier fleets seeking coordinated attacks.
The electric missile launch system's speed and accuracy make it challenging for enemy fleets to evade or defend against missiles, likening its advantage to that of an automatic rifle compared to a single-shot variant, potentially decisive in naval battles.
Firing Experiments
China's Naval University of Engineering has already conducted firing experiments of a large rail gun at sea, marking a significant achievement in developing smaller electromagnetic guns.
Breakthroughs in technology include lighter launch devices and power supplies, the integration of electromagnetic gun systems into vehicles, and the implementation of projectile matching and electromagnetic spin-up techniques to enhance shooting accuracy.
Long-range field tests have shattered world records for range and kinetic energy, showcasing the impressive capabilities of China's electromagnetic gun technology.
China has made remarkable progress in electromagnetic launch systems. These advancements represent a major milestone in the practical implementation of high-capacity pulse energy storage systems and the precise guidance and control of projectiles, even in highly demanding high-overload situations.
However, the mass application of electromagnetic launch technology will undoubtedly face numerous challenges.
China's naval university has taken measures by establishing an electromagnetic launch engineering major to cultivate talent proficient in designing, producing, supervising, and maintaining electromagnetic launch equipment.
This pivotal step signifies the transformation of electromagnetic energy equipment from a mere theoretical concept into a practical engineering reality.
