{
  "id": 7544871,
  "title": "China mulls building nuclear-powered tank with 450km-range railgun in 2 decades",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/china-mulls-building-nuclear-powered-tank-with-450km-range-railgun-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-15T12:00:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
    "slug": "reuters-business-via-scmp",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3367546/china-mulls-building-nuclear-powered-tank-450km-range-railgun-2-decades"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chinese military researchers have proposed a plan to develop a nuclear-powered main battle tank equipped with a 450km-range electromagnetic railgun, potentially ready for debut after 2045. The concept, detailed in a June paper published in Acta Armamentarii, envisions a 60-tonne vehicle powered by a small modular reactor (SMR) and a 50MJ railgun. The research, conducted by Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group and the Beijing Institute of Technology, outlines a three-stage development path. Initially, before 2035, scientists aim to integrate electromagnetic weapons into existing tanks using mature power systems, targeting a 60-tonne tank with a 150km range and 10MJ electromagnetic gun. From 2035 to 2045, they plan to enhance the system with higher-energy weapons and advanced energy storage, aiming for a 300km range and 20MJ electromagnetic gun. By 2045, the researchers seek to create a fully nuclear-powered tank with a 50MJ railgun, theoretically capable of reaching speeds of 3.5km/s and achieving a range of 450km. The primary challenge lies in miniaturizing the reactor, ensuring its radiation shielding weighs less than 3 tonnes, and fitting everything within a 60-tonne armoured vehicle. Critics question the practicality of such a nuclear-powered tank, citing space, weight, and maintenance issues. Some suggest transitioning to an uncrewed, high-energy laser or microwave weapons system to maximize military value and survivability.",
  "summary": "Chinese military researchers have outlined an ambitious plan to develop a nuclear-powered main battle tank armed with an electromagnetic railgun capable of hitting targets up to 450km (280 miles) away, possibly debuting after 2045. Detailed in a peer-reviewed paper published in June in the Chinese journal Acta Armamentarii, the concept envisions a 60-tonne armoured vehicle driven by a…",
  "key_points": [
    "Chinese military proposes nuclear-powered tank with 450km-range railgun by 2045",
    "60-tonne vehicle powered by small modular reactor and 50MJ railgun",
    "Three-stage development plan from 2035 to 2045"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "China mulls building nuclear-powered tank with 450km-range railgun in 2 decades",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/china-mulls-building-nuclear-powered-tank-with-450km-range-railgun-in-7545492",
        "published": "2026-09-15T12:00:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}