China developing Smart Munitions

PLA Army Terminal sensing ammunition displayed in China

The Chinese military is making steady progress in the development of smart ammunition technology, the PLA Daily reported yesterday, which could prove especially threatening to Taiwan’s armored vehicles.

The Baicheng Weapon Test Center announced on Friday that it had made “a significant breakthrough” in the development of technology known as terminal sensing ammunition, adding that the People’s Liberation Army had completed the theoretical work, including design, analysis, simulation, tests and evaluation of the new projectile.

The photo shows the launch of terminal-sensitive projectile of China

Terminal-sensing ammunition, also known as sensor-detonated ammunition or “smart ammunition,” are projectiles that can identify the presence of a target at the end of its ballistic trajectory and automatically direct submunitions, similar to cluster bomblets, to explode in the target’s direction.

The photo shows the terminal-sensitive projectile of China. (Xinhua)

During a recent demonstration at the test center, a terminal-sensing projectile flew over the target site and discharged a series of terminal-sensing submunitions, which deployed mini-parachutes and searched for their target.

The photo shows the internal structure of terminal-sensitive projectile. (Xinhua)

Terminal-sensing projectiles, which are relatively cheap to produce, can be fired or launched from cannons, long-range surface-to-surface missiles, air-to-ground missiles and bombs.

The photo shows the launch of terminal-sensitive projectile of China. (Xinhua)

They are regarded as an especially promising weapon to attack the roof section of vehicles such as tanks and armored personnel carriers.