19 Jul 2018

China's super-sized space plans may involve help from Russia

 Full report and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/china-russia-space-rocketLong March 9LONG MARCH 9The Long March 9, when it flies around 2030, will be one of the world's largest space rockets, aimed at lunar and Martian missions.CCTV 1China recently provided the clearest look yet at one of the world's largest space rockets, the 4,000 ton Long

11 Jul 2018

China's latest quantum radar could help detect stealth planes, missiles

  Full article and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/china-quantum-radar-detects-stealth-planes-missilesNext Stop StratosphereQUANTUM COMPUTINGThe Shanghai based Institute for Quantum Information and Quantum Technology Innovation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences unveiled this quantum computing device in May 2017.China NewsOn June 22, China

26 Jun 2018

China's hypersonic military projects include spaceplanes and rail guns

  Full report and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/chinas-hypersonic-work-speeds-upThe nation is focusing its research and development on tech that moves faster than the speed of sound.TENGYUNThe Tengyun spaceplane, first flight scheduled around 2020, will benefit from Chinese research into high-strength fuselage materials, as well as increased

7 Jun 2018

China teases its new stealth bomber

 Full report and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/chinas-new-bomber-reveal Big NewsH-20Keeping in mind that the video image could very well bear little or no resemblance to the actual bomber, the bomber appears to be a large, cranked flying wing.Xian Aircraft CorporationAVIC, the Chinese conglomerate, teased audiences worldwide with the first

14 May 2018

Here's China's plan to compete with SpaceX and Blue Origin

 Full report and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/chinas-2020-plan-for-reusable-space-launchPrivate companies want to launch reusable space rockets in 2020.LONG MARCH 8The Long March 8, scheduled to start flying in 2020, has a completely reusable first stage, with powered descent for the core, and parachutes for the boosters.Sina Weibo/

2 May 2018

China's opening a factory to build engines for hypersonic missiles and spaceplanes

 Full article and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/chinas-hypersonic-engine-factoryReconnaissance and strike capabilities of aircrafts with these engines could upend air combat and strategies around the world.I PLANEThe hypersonic I Plane has a unique biplane configuration to increase its payload and reduce drag.China Science PressThe Institute of

27 Apr 2018

China has big plans for a modern bomber

Full article and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/explaining-chinas-big-bomber-plansThe H-20 is China's future stealth bomber.H-6KThe H-6K—a modernized version of a 60-year-old Soviet design—is the only mass-produced bomber in the world today.XinhuaChina's defense industry has been rapidly modernizing, though a few key gaps still lie between the

20 Apr 2018

China is building drone planes for its aircraft carriers

 Full report and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/china-drone-planes-aircraft-carrierThey're robotics wingmen for China's carrier pilots.TYPE 003This display at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution (China's official military museum) in 2016 shows a nuclear-powered carrier with stealthy unmanned combat aerial vehicles.Oedo

18 Apr 2018

A look at China's most exciting hypersonic aerospace programs

Hypersonic technology has the potential to revolutionize both military and civilian aerospace, so it's no surprise that China is showing off its program.At the 21st International Space Plane and Hypersonic Systems and Technology in Xiamen—a global forum of scientists and engineers researching hypersonic concepts and technologies—Chinese scientists

22 Mar 2018

China's new stealth fighter uses powerful materials with geometry not found in nature

 Full article and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/chinas-new-stealth-fighter-uses-metamaterialsMetamaterials can make the J-20 an extra stealthy electromagnetic force.CAN YOU SEE ME?The J-20 is being deployed to elite PLAAF units. It likely uses metamaterials to increase stealth and electromagnetic performance.Henri KenhmannChina's new fighter,

15 Mar 2018

A Chinese shipbuilder accidentally revealed its major navy plans

 Full report and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/china-nuclear-submarine-aircraft-carrier-leakNuclear submarines, giant aircraft carriers, robot warships.DALIAN SHIPYARDDalian Shipyard, part of CSIC, is where China's first domestic carrier, CV-17, was built. It will also likely be the builder for China's first, nuclear powered

26 Feb 2018

China's hypersonic aircraft would fly from Beijing to New York in two hours

 Full article and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/china-hypersonic-double-wing-aircraft-i-planeThe double-wing plane just aced wind tunnel tests at speeds of nearly 5,600 miles per hour.I PLANEThe hypersonic I Plane's biplane configuration is unique even for hypersonic craft.China Science PressA team of researchers at the Chinese Academy of

18 Feb 2018

China's J-20 stealth fighter jet has officially entered service

 Full article and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/chinas-j-20-stealth-fighter-officially-enters-serviceReady to "safeguard China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity."J-20AThe J-20 is being deployed to elite PLAAF units.No CDThe People's Liberation Army Air Force has officially deployed its J-20 stealth fightersto frontline fighter

15 Feb 2018

Is China's space laser for real?

 Full article and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/china-space-laserIt's not a Death Star super laser. It's a space broom.IT'S NOT THIS.China's space broom isn't the Death Star super laser. It's an orbiting satellite with a laser only powerful enough to heat up pieces of space junk, so that they change course burn up in the

13 Feb 2018

China shot down another missile in space

 Full report and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/china-space-missile-testLike a hypersonic bullet hitting another hypersonic bullet.A HIT!On February 5, during the Chinese midcourse ABM test, the interceptor hit the target missile in space. Pictured here: the exhaust plumes from the DN-3 rocket motor, suspended in the stratosphere for a

8 Feb 2018

This people-moving drone has completed more than 1,000 test flights

 Full article and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/ehang-passenger-carrying-droneThe flying taxi could soon be spotted in Dubai and Las Vegas.NO HANDS (OR PILOT TRAINING) NEEDEDThe Ehang 184, a one-person automated helicopter, has made multiple flights with passengers onboard.EhangMost drones are small, and carry nothing except cameras. But Ehang

23 Jan 2018

China's new drone company is building a UAV with a 20-ton payload

 Full article and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/chinas-new-drone-company-has-big-plansThat's akin to a medium-sized manned cargo plane.BTB-001This twin-engine, dual-tail MALE (medium altitude, long endurance) attack drone will be able to carry about a ton of payload.WeChat, via by78China's drone newcomer Tengoen Technology (also spelled Tengdun)

8 Jan 2018

China is making 1,000-UAV drone swarms now

 Full article and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/china-drone-swarmsThese autonomous swarms can make decisions on how and when to repair themselves.1,180 POINTS OF LIGHTEhang's thousand-strong quadcopter swarm acted as a giant airborne LED screen to display images, like this picture of China.CCTV+At the close of the Global Fortune Forum in

18 Dec 2017

China could become a major space power by 2050

 Full article and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/china-space-power-plansPlans include launches, robotic moon bases, and interplanetary manned missions.SPACEPLANEThe China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation notes that its single-stage-to-orbit hypersonic spaceplane will be ready for service by 2030.CASICLast week, President Trump signed a

7 Nov 2017

China's future satellite navigation will be millimeter-accurate

 Full report and graphics: https://www.popsci.com/china-beidou-3-satellite-navigation-systemThe Beidou 3 will guide military munitions and drones.BBEIDOU LAUNCHThe Beidou satellite is usually launched by LM-3 space launch vehicles.by78China's military is updating its satellite navigation system, launching tech that'll offer super accurate guidance