In the northwest Gobi Desert, a Chinese scientific research team conducted a shocking experiment: a tungsten alloy rod weighing 140 kilograms hit the ground at a speed of Mach 14, leaving only a pit with a diameter of about 3 meters.
This experiment not only proved the insufficiency of the concept of space-based orbital kinetic weapons proposed by the United States during the Cold War, but also pointed out the direction for the research of a new generation of hypersonic weapons.
The United States' Star Wars plan once proposed to use space shuttles, space stations or aerospace planes to launch space-based orbital weapons from space. Among them, tungsten rods have become the main weapons due to their high melting point, corrosion resistance, high density and high hardness.
When the tungsten rod falls from the space station and reaches 10 times the speed of sound, the high temperature generated by friction with the air cannot change its shape, thereby achieving maximum strike force.
Space-based weapons commonly seen in science fiction movies were unexpectedly successfully realized by Chinese scientists. This is not only a victory of technology, but also a manifestation of national confidence.
The test results showed that after the 140 kg tungsten rod hit the ground at a speed of 13.6 Mach, only a pit with a depth of 3.2 meters and a radius of 4.7 meters was left. This proves the great destructive power of the tungsten rod.
If the test results of the "Rod of God" are true, the existence of electromagnetic guns and suborbital bombers will be even more significant.
This test not only demonstrated China's strength in weapons research and development, but also proved that the super weapons that the United States once boasted about did not actually exist.
China's hypersonic weapons research and development has been at the forefront of the world, while the United States is still trying to catch up.
As China surpasses in many fields, the United States' advantage is gradually weakening. Whether it is the electromagnetic catapult of the navy, aircraft carriers or the integrated power system, China is gradually leading.
Although China still has gaps in some aspects, the United States' advantage is no longer obvious when facing China.
Post time: Jan-14-2025