Global
Chinese researchers have proposed a nuclear-powered tank design, reflecting future military ambitions and marking a qualitative leap in ground combat vehicle technology. Weighing 60 tons, this proposed tank features a 50-megajoule electromagnetic gun, capable of launching projectiles at 3.5 kilometers per second, achieving an unprecedented 450-kilometer range. The design outlines a three-phase development, moving from hybrid systems to full nuclear power after 2045. This innovative design was revealed in a peer-reviewed research paper published in the Chinese defense magazine "Acta Armamentarii," as reported by "First Post." Prepared by researchers from Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group and the Beijing Institute of Technology, it received support and funding from the National Key Laboratory for Special Vehicle Design, Manufacturing, and Integration Technology, highlighting the seriousness in pursuing these advanced concepts. The electromagnetic gun concept uses immense electrical currents to accelerate projectiles within a launch rail, departing from traditional chemical propellants. Theoretically, projectiles are expected to reach about 3.5 kilometers per second (approximately Mach 10.2), ensuring substantial kinetic energy upon impact. For operational capability, researchers propose integrating a 10-megawatt fast-cooling nuclear reactor, using a lead-bismuth mixture, designed to occupy no more than two cubic meters. The design allocates up to 3 tons for radiation protection, with a reactor core operational life of five years between fuel replacements. The reactor acts as the primary power source, charging high-density energy storage units—like superconducting magnetic coils or ultra-discharge capacitors—to deliver massive electrical pulses for the electromagnetic gun in fractions of a second. This integrated system is anticipated to provide extended operational range, significantly reducing reliance on traditional fuel supplies. However, integrating a nuclear reactor, an electromagnetic gun, and advanced protection systems into a 60-ton tank presents a formidable engineering challenge. Notably, China has already demonstrated advanced capabilities in this field by building and operating electromagnetic aircraft launch systems (EMALS) on its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, proving its proficiency in manufacturing reliable, high-power electromagnetic linear induction engines.
