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China Expands Export Controls on Drones with Military Potential August 01, 2023 | South China Morning Post On July 31, 2023, China announced that it will be imposing export restrictions on locally made drones that have potential for military applications starting in September. Exporters will require government approval to send the devices overseas. The restrictions apply to products that enabled the "proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorist activities or military purposes." The new order is an extension of export controls issued in 2015. The export restrictions now apply to drones that can be controlled manually beyond the range of sight for up to 30 minutes, which previously had a 1-hour limit. The maximum take-off weight of the drones is limited to less than 7kg. Radio equipment that exceeds internationally certified civil power limits, devices that can launch or drop weights, hyper-spectral, multispectral, or precision infrared cameras, and high-power laser locators are also banned under the export order.
Chinese Military Scientists Claim to Have Achieved A ‘Huge Breakthrough' On Laser Weapon Technology August 11, 2023 | South China Morning Post Scientists at China's National University of Defense Technology have reportedly developed a new cooling system that eliminates harmful heat that is generated during the operation of high-energy lasers. The issue has been a major technical challenge for laser weapon development. With the new technology, weapons can now generate laser beams for as long as they want, without any interruption or degradation in performance. This development will also increase range and damage and reducing logistics and costs during battle.
New Engine For WZ-10 Helicopter to Boost Climb Rate By 20%, Acceleration By 10% August 07, 2023 | China Arms This article highlights clips from Chinese media showing the People Liberation Army's new type of engine has completed validation and is set to be installed in the WZ-10 armed helicopter. Chinese media reports that with the new engine, "the helicopter's climb rate can be improved by about 20% and the acceleration can be improved by about 10%." The engine will expand the helicopter's ability to perform tasks in complex environments, enhancing the helicopter's mobility and combat effectiveness.
PLAAF Developing New Combat Methods for UAVs August 16, 2023 | Janes This article reports that the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force has been developing new combat tactics and methods of operation for unmanned aerial vehicles, including remote take-offs and landings at locations far from home base airfields and potential manned-unmanned teaming. China has been conducting these trials using Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) Wing Loong-II drones. The exercise objectives included searching, detecting, identifying, and attacking multiple targets using remote control from the ground station.
China Navy Launches New Type 054B Frigate in Shanghai August 28, 2023 | Navy Recognition This report claims that Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding has launched the first Chinese PLA Navy's Type-054B frigate in Shanghai. The Type-054B frigate has a fully electric propulsion system which enhances its "power conversion efficieincy, reduces energy consumption, and improves its navigational performance and combat power." The frigate is also equipped with systems that give it leading air defense capabilities.
China Tests World's Most Powerful Coilgun August 25, 2023 | South China Morning Post China recently tested a prototype coil electromagnetic gun, or Gauss gun. The test accelerated a 273-lb projectile to 435 mph (280m/s) in 0.05 seconds. Online discussions on social media speculate the power output of the prototype is less than 5 megawatts, assuming linear acceleration across the typical 30-feet naval gun barrel length.
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