National University of Defense Technologies of the PRC

2024: Development of special coverage for aircraft that makes them invisible to radar

At the end of November 2024, the Chinese military introduced a new anti-radar coating that can hide aircraft from tracking systems. This coating is capable of absorbing low frequency electromagnetic waves at different angles of incidence and does not exceed the thickness of the paper sheet. Previously discovered radio absorbing materials for stealth aircraft are effective only for some types of electromagnetic waves.

The new material was developed by the National University of Defense Technology of China (NUDT). This material can convert electromagnetic waves with wavelengths ranging from 70 cm to 20 cm into heat, namely this wave range is commonly used by P-band and L-band radar systems. According to the developers, the new material is light, flexible and easy to produce in large volumes. Scientists involved in the project said their work "does not violate the fundamental laws of physics."

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interestingengineering.com

When low-frequency electromagnetic waves hit this coating, they generate currents on the surface of the metal foil layer, the research team said. These currents can be converted to heat, which is then rapidly dissipated in the air, effectively reducing the return signatures of radar waves. This is how other materials that absorb radar signals work, but the subtlety of the Chinese coating attracts special attention. The thickness of conventional radar absorbing materials is about 1.5 mm, which is significantly thicker than a sheet of paper (about 0.1 mm).

In general, all these properties provide unique possibilities for the use of new films without the use of heavy and expensive magnetic materials. Thanks to this, the new development can be used in a wide variety of military equipment.^[1]

2015: Once-powerful supercomputer shut down by explosions in China

On August 13, 2015, the Tianhe-1A supercomputer, designed by the National University of Defense Technologies of the PRC, was turned off due to explosions in Tianjin, where a powerful computer system is located.

According to Xinhua News Agency, citing Liu Guangming, director of the National Supercomputing Center in Tianjin, where the Tianhe-1A is located, the system worked properly after the explosions, but for security reasons it was turned off. The supercomputer and databases were not affected, Mr. Guangming assured, noting that the room where the equipment is located has enhanced protection.

The Tianhe-1A supercomputer, designed by the National University of Defense Technologies of the PRC, was turned off due to explosions in Tianjin, where a powerful computer system is located

On August 12, 2015, at 23:30 local time, two explosions thundered in Tianjin with a difference of 30 seconds. Dangerous substances of the logistics company exploded in the container terminal. The blast wave knocked out glass and doors in nearby buildings, and also destroyed part of the ceilings inside the National Supercomputer Center.

According to preliminary data, the state of emergency claimed the lives of about 50 people, more than 700 were injured. The multimillion-dollar metropolis has suffered huge damage estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Tianhe-1A supercomputer has a performance of 2.57 petaflops, which allowed it to become the most powerful computing system in 2010 (it held the lead until June 2011). About $88 million was spent on its development. As of June 2015, Tianhe-1A ranks 24th in the ranking of the fastest computing systems in the world top500. Its leader is Tianhe-1A 's successor, Tianhe-2.

How long it will take to launch the Tianhe-1A, and when it will be carried out, is not reported.^[2]

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