Chinese scientists reveal a surprising discovery: the use of steel to build hypersonic missiles capable of reaching impressive speeds of up to 9.800 km/h, transforming military technology.
Customized recent China's scientists indicate that the country is making progress in creating hypersonic missiles made of steel, capable of reaching speeds of Mach 8, or approximately 9.800 km/h. Chinese scientists believe that using steel instead of traditional tungsten, which is more expensive and rare, could revolutionize the production of these weapons.
The newly developed thermal protection technology allows the steel to withstand the extremely high temperatures resulting from hypersonic flight.
This discovery was detailed in a study published in the journal Acta Armamentarii, conducted by a team of scientists led by Professor Huang Fenglei, from the Beijing Institute of Technology.
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They proposed using high-strength stainless steel in the nose cone of anti-ship missiles, which could significantly reduce the manufacturing costs of hypersonic missiles, enabling their mass production.
However, one of the main technical challenges for using steel in hypersonic missiles is its melting point, which is 1.200 degrees Celsius. A hypersonic missile can reach temperatures exceeding 2.500 degrees Celsius during flight.
To solve this, scientists created additional thermal protection for the steel nose cone, using ultra-high temperature ceramics and an aerogel layer, which acts as thermal insulation.
Global impact of replacing tungsten with steel
Many countries currently use tungsten alloys in their hypersonic missiles, due to its higher melting point of over 1.600 degrees Celsius. However, tungsten is a rare and expensive metal, controlled mainly by Chinese companies, making its replacement a global priority. Innovation in using steel instead of tungsten could allow for more affordable and larger-scale missile manufacturing.
If steel-based hypersonic missile technology is realized, China will have a significant advantage in this technological race. In addition, the development of more advanced cooling systems, such as the recent device developed by Chinese scientists, could extend the flight time of these missiles, making them even more effective in war scenarios.
In addition to China, Russia has also deployed hypersonic missiles, particularly in its conflict with Ukraine, and the United States is testing its own versions, but with limited results so far. France, for its part, successfully tested the Vmax hypersonic vehicle in 2023. However, China appears to be ahead of its competitors, with a clear vision of mass-producing these weapons at reduced costs, cementing its position as a leader in the development of hypersonic missiles.
Replacing tungsten with steel, combined with new heat shielding technology, could radically transform the future of hypersonic weapons. The ability to reach speeds of Mach 8 and produce missiles at low cost would give China a strategic advantage, directly influencing the global balance of power.