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China Unveils 16-Barrel Anti-Aircraft Cannon, The First in the World. System Aims to Neutralize Missiles and Drones with Precision and Power
The China has revealed a new air defense weapon system that promises to change the fight against drones, missiles, and low-altitude helicopters. Equipped with 16 barrels, the new anti-drone cannon has been developed to increase efficiency in neutralizing modern threats, including coordinated attacks by swarms of drones.
According to the Chinese state newspaper Global Times, this is the world’s first weapon system with these characteristics. It has been named the anti-drone and missile barrage weapon system.
Stream of Fire Instead of Isolated Shots
The chief designer of the new system, Yu Bin, explained in an interview how the weapon operates. Instead of firing shot by shot, it releases a true “barrage” — a wall of munitions that covers a large attack area.
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Valued at over $2 billion, the B-2 Spirit bomber requires meticulous inspection, bombs calibrated in a controlled environment, and extreme preparation to disappear from radar and launch attacks with lethal precision.
This technique allows the weapon to move from broad coverage to a more precise point, increasing the chances of successfully intercepting targets.
Yu emphasized that most traditional air defense weapons operate on a “point-to-point” model. In contrast, the new Chinese anti-drone cannon adopts a “plane-to-point” concept. This means that several cannons fire simultaneously, increasing the fire density and also the probability of hitting the target.
This new model is considered short-range and uses exclusive munitions, specially developed for this function. According to Yu, there is no similar system available in the world. The innovation is viewed as groundbreaking in defense against swarm drone attacks.
Unprecedented Anti-Drone Cannon: Mobile and High-Performance System
The system stands out for a series of important technical features. It has high reload speed, intense fire capability, and a manageable barrage size. Additionally, it possesses high destructive power and can accompany troops during battlefield maneuvers.
One of the advantages highlighted by Yu is its ability to handle saturation attacks. Currently, air defense systems struggle to deal with this type of offensive, especially when there are many drones at once. Besides being ineffective, traditional models tend to be economically unfeasible.
The new system, on the other hand, has been designed specifically to overcome this obstacle. According to Yu, it has already demonstrated the ability to eliminate all small drones from an attack with just one shot. It can also intercept missiles, rockets, mortars, and howitzers.
While the primary focus is on aerial threats, such as drones, helicopters, and cruise missiles, Yu explained that the system can also be used against land or aquatic targets.
Versatility of the New Chinese Cannon
Another important point is the modularity of the Chinese anti-drone cannon. It can be installed on different types of vehicles, such as trucks, armored vehicles, or even warships.
Military expert Fu Qianshao told Global Times that the new weapon represents an effective and economical solution in light of the growing threat posed by drone swarms.
He also commented that the system has the potential to attract international interest, not only for its innovation but also due to the increasing demand for such solutions in different countries.
Context of Dispute with Taiwan and the USA
The advancement of China in this area occurs amid an intensifying technological and military dispute in the Taiwan Strait. The United States and Taiwan are developing strategies to fill the region with thousands of drones, both for surveillance and offensive actions.
There are already U.S. long-range drones, such as the MQ-4C Triton, operating in the Strait. The Taiwan Ministry of Defense has ordered about 3,500 domestically produced drones to counter potential threats from China.
Taiwan also intends to build a testing facility for unmanned aerial vehicles in Chiayi County. The proposal aims to establish a robust supply chain for the military use of these devices.
Taiwan’s Strategies with Drones
Taiwan’s defense plan involves three main phases with different models of drones. In the first phase, larger drones, such as the MQ-9B and the Teng Yun, will perform surveillance and assist in tactical control.
Next, smaller drones, such as the Albatross and the Chien-Hsiang, will be used for electronic warfare and coastal sensor sabotage.
In the final phase, when forces attempt to establish land dominance, Taiwan plans to utilize cheaper and easily replaceable drones. Among them are the ALTIUS 600M-V and the Capricorn, which will be used for precision strikes and data collection for ground troops.
Chinese Response Gains Strength with the New Chinese Cannon
Observing this movement, China is heavily investing in the creation of new systems to counter such threats. The recently unveiled 16-barrel anti-drone cannon is part of this effort.
It reinforces the Chinese response to the growing use of drones in conflict zones, demonstrating that the country intends to maintain a technological edge in the air defense sector, especially in environments where rapid and mass attacks have become a reality.
With information from Interesting Engineering.
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