China Proposes Nuclear-Powered Tank with Electromagnetic Gun, 450 km Range

Chinese military researchers have proposed a design for a nuclear-powered tank, weighing 60 tons, equipped with a 50-megajoule electromagnetic gun. This gun is estimated to be capable of firing projectiles at a speed of up to 3.5 kilometers per second, targeting an operational range of 450 kilometers. The design's development is planned in three phases, transitioning from hybrid systems to full nuclear power after 2045. A peer-reviewed research paper, published in the Chinese defense journal "Acta Armamentarii," revealed this innovative design. It was prepared by researchers from the Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group and the Beijing Institute of Technology, funded by the National Key Laboratory for Vehicle Design & Manufacturing Technology Integration. The proposal relies on an electromagnetic gun that utilizes immense electrical currents to accelerate projectiles within a launch rail, replacing traditional chemical propellants. According to the theoretical concept, a projectile could reach a speed of approximately 3.5 kilometers per second, equivalent to about Mach 10.2, imparting significant kinetic energy upon impact. The proposal also included equipping the tank with a fast-cooling nuclear reactor, utilizing a lead-bismuth mixture, with a capacity of 10 megawatts. The reactor is designed to occupy a space not exceeding two cubic meters. The design postulates allocating up to 3 tons for radiation protection, with a reactor core operational life of five years between nuclear fuel replacements. The reactor would serve as the primary power source, charging high-density storage units such as superconducting magnetic coils or ultra-discharge capacitors, to unleash enormous electrical pulses within fractions of a second. The concept suggests that this system could grant the vehicle an extended operational range, reducing its reliance on traditional fuel supplies. However, integrating a nuclear reactor, an electromagnetic gun, and advanced protection systems into a 60-ton tank remains a significant engineering challenge. Notably, China has successfully built and operated electromagnetic aircraft launch systems (EMALS) on its third aircraft carrier, "Fujian," demonstrating its capability in manufacturing reliable, high-power electromagnetic linear induction motors.