Chinese researchers have proposed four types of modular combat equipment designed to switch configurations for missions across land, water, air, and electromagnetic battlefields. One proposed configuration could operate underwater at depths of up to 164 feet for two hours, although the reported tests have yet to verify this capability.
The designs are intended for the evolution of armored warfare between 2030 and 2050. Scientists from Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group, which works on China’s tanks and armored vehicles, and the Beijing Institute of Technology are leading the project.
The researchers said prototype development and field tests had advanced the concept towards engineering application and “combat-oriented validation.”
Four equipment types target different combat environments
As reported bySouth China Morning Post, the proposed system centers on four types of equipment intended to support operations across different battlefield environments. Rather than relying entirely on fixed vehicle hardware, the designs use interchangeable physical modules to adapt to changing mission requirements.
The approach is intended to help armored units respond to threats that develop too quickly for conventional platforms. According to the researchers, traditional vehicles can take more than 45 seconds to switch from reconnaissance to striking a target.
The paper also estimates that conventional vehicles’ ability to intercept multiple targets could fall from 89 percent to 38.6 percent during a 10-second drone attack.
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The researchers aim to reduce the observe-orient-decide-act (OODA) decision cycle to nine seconds, a fivefold improvement over current performance.
Tests recorded an average module-connection time of 8.7 seconds and a 98.3 percent success rate across 1,000 trials. The trials covered temperatures from minus 4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, strong electromagnetic interference, and muddy terrain.
Thesystemis also designed to keep fluctuations in the power supplied to high-energy payloads within plus or minus 3 percent.
Underwater configuration of submarine tank targets amphibious operations
One of the detailed configurations is a dedicatedwater module(submarine tank) designed to operate at depths of up to 164 feet for two hours. Switching between operating environments could take as little as 12 minutes.
The proposed capability could allow a vehicle to approach a shoreline underwater before changing to its land configuration. The researchers also envision drone-assisted obstacle clearance, projecting that the system could clear 30 obstacles per minute and cut landing-operation time by 60 percent.
However, the reported tests did not establish underwater performance of the proposed submarine tank, and the paper provided no underwater speed or range figures.
Land performance and cost savings remain projections
The land-based core module is designed to reach at least 43 mph on roads and 25 mph off-road. Its proposed hybrid power system would provide a minimum range of 373 miles.
The researchersestimatethat the concept could improve performance across five key areas compared with existing modular armored vehicles, including Germany’s Boxer. They also project a reduction of around 40 percent in whole-life costs.
These figures remain projections. Further testing will be needed to establish whether the four equipment types can deliver their proposed capabilities in operational conditions.
The study was published in the peer-reviewed journalActa Armamentarii.
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- 3Gemini 4 Argon cuts quantum computing costs 100-fold, advances fusion and robotics
- 4US lab develops magnet storage stands for world's first polarized electron-ion collider
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Chinese researchers have proposed four types of modular combat equipment designed to switch configurations for missions across land, water, air, and electromagnetic battlefields. One proposed configuration could operate underwater at depths of up to 164 feet for two hours, although the reported tests have yet to verify this capability.
The designs are intended for the evolution of armored warfare between 2030 and 2050. Scientists from Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group, which works on China’s tanks and armored vehicles, and the Beijing Institute of Technology are leading the project.
The researchers said prototype development and field tests had advanced the concept towards engineering application and “combat-oriented validation.”
Four equipment types target different combat environments
As reported bySouth China Morning Post, the proposed system centers on four types of equipment intended to support operations across different battlefield environments. Rather than relying entirely on fixed vehicle hardware, the designs use interchangeable physical modules to adapt to changing mission requirements.
The approach is intended to help armored units respond to threats that develop too quickly for conventional platforms. According to the researchers, traditional vehicles can take more than 45 seconds to switch from reconnaissance to striking a target.
The paper also estimates that conventional vehicles’ ability to intercept multiple targets could fall from 89 percent to 38.6 percent during a 10-second drone attack.
More from Military
See AllMilitaryNew drone interceptor takes off like a quadcopter, then flies forward autonomouslyMilitaryUS Navy radars to get software upgrades to spot smaller targets at greater distancesMilitaryHanwha’s new artillery system combines 155 mm firepower with wheeled mobilityMilitaryRaytheon tests new drone-killer missile in just 15 months with faster rocket powerMilitaryUS Navy equips 18,479-ton nuclear-powered submarine with counter-drone warfare systemModular connections aim to shorten response times
The researchers aim to reduce the observe-orient-decide-act (OODA) decision cycle to nine seconds, a fivefold improvement over current performance.
Tests recorded an average module-connection time of 8.7 seconds and a 98.3 percent success rate across 1,000 trials. The trials covered temperatures from minus 4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, strong electromagnetic interference, and muddy terrain.
Thesystemis also designed to keep fluctuations in the power supplied to high-energy payloads within plus or minus 3 percent.
Underwater configuration of submarine tank targets amphibious operations
One of the detailed configurations is a dedicatedwater module(submarine tank) designed to operate at depths of up to 164 feet for two hours. Switching between operating environments could take as little as 12 minutes.
The proposed capability could allow a vehicle to approach a shoreline underwater before changing to its land configuration. The researchers also envision drone-assisted obstacle clearance, projecting that the system could clear 30 obstacles per minute and cut landing-operation time by 60 percent.
However, the reported tests did not establish underwater performance of the proposed submarine tank, and the paper provided no underwater speed or range figures.
Land performance and cost savings remain projections
The land-based core module is designed to reach at least 43 mph on roads and 25 mph off-road. Its proposed hybrid power system would provide a minimum range of 373 miles.
The researchersestimatethat the concept could improve performance across five key areas compared with existing modular armored vehicles, including Germany’s Boxer. They also project a reduction of around 40 percent in whole-life costs.
These figures remain projections. Further testing will be needed to establish whether the four equipment types can deliver their proposed capabilities in operational conditions.
The study was published in the peer-reviewed journalActa Armamentarii.
Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.
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PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.
0
COMMENT
Subscribe to
Today!
Access to exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.
Explore Now!By
Sujita SinhaA versatile writer, Sujita has worked with Mashable Middle East and News Daily 24. When she isn't writing, you can find her glued to the latest web series and movies.
- 1Avatar comes to life: Honda's new robot mirrors human movements to work remotely
- 2OpenAI says its own models helped identify employee arrested over hidden office bug
- 3Gemini 4 Argon cuts quantum computing costs 100-fold, advances fusion and robotics
- 4US lab develops magnet storage stands for world's first polarized electron-ion collider
- 5New drone interceptor takes off like a quadcopter, then flies forward autonomously
