Chinese scientists have developed an automatic rifle designed for drones, advancing unmanned warfare technology. Chinese scientists developed a rifle that can be used by drones to advance unmanned warfare. The weapon fires 7.62mm bullets like the AK-47, with a velocity of 740 to 900 meters per second (2,427 to 2,952 feet per second) at 10 meters, matching the AK-47's power.
It fires bullets with a 7.62mm caliber, similar to the AK-47. The velocity is 740-900 meters/second (2,427-2,952 feet/second) at 10 metres, which matches the AK-47’s power.
The key innovation of this weapon is its nearly nonexistent recoil, described as being as light as tapping a keyboard. This weapon's key innovation is the almost nonexistent recoil. It has been described as as light as tapping on a keyboard. This allows even consumer drones or toy robotic dogs to handle and fire the gun with ease, according to the project's scientists and engineers.
According to scientists and engineers, even toy robot dogs or consumer drones can fire and handle the weapon with ease.
From grenade-dropping to precision shooting. Precision shooting and grenade dropping. Small drones have been limited to dropping grenades or mortar shells on battlefields like those in Ukraine.
The use of small drones has been restricted to the dropping of grenades and mortar shells onto battlefields such as those in Ukraine. Even advanced unmanned platforms and heavily modified drones struggle to manage the recoil of machine guns, reducing their accuracy and flexibility.
The recoil from machine guns can be difficult to control, even for advanced drones and unmanned platforms. This reduces their flexibility and accuracy. A new rifle designed by Professor Liu Pengzhan's team at North University of China's school of mechanical and electrical engineering aims to address these issues, the South China Morning Post reported.
By drilling a hole at the rear of the gun barrel, the team found they could release the gas shock wave from the gunpowder explosion. The team discovered that by drilling a small hole in the barrel of the firearm, they were able to release the shockwave generated from the explosion. To maintain the bullet's speed, they developed a new design with a high-strength seal at the back and an electromagnetic induction chip inside.
They developed a design that had a seal with high strength at the rear and an induction chip on the inside to maintain bullet speed.
When the firing command is given, the chip ignites the explosive, launching the bullet. The chip is activated by the firing order and ignites explosives, which then launch the bullet. As pressure rises, it breaks the membrane and vents through the hole, reducing recoil and maintaining high muzzle velocity.
According to the researchers, the gun features a simple structure and low manufacturing cost, requiring only a coil in the barrel to detonate the chip, which is protected by a layer of high-temperature and high-pressure-resistant ceramic.
New weapon design passes multiple tests. The new weapon design, developed by a team at North University of China with input from military engineers, has proven effective in multiple tests.
Project details have been published in Acta Armamentarii this month, an academic peer-reviewed journal. Liu’s team has confirmed that the new design is effective in combating key unmanned challenges.
During the trials, the rifle was suspended in the air and fired, with its front-to-back swing measuring only 1.8cm, demonstrating its minimal recoil.
China has gained a significant advantage through its industrial capacity in developing such weapons. However, in response to growing concerns over the potential misuse of its innovations and products, Beijing recently added dual-use drone products and related technologies to its export control list.
Furthermore, the North University of China has proven to be a pivotal research institution in crafting such advanced weapon designs, with the collaboration between the university's academic experts and engineers from various Chinese military industrial enterprises playing a key role in advancing its arms industry.