China aims to be the top global superpower by 2049. A big part of this plan is to develop a powerful navy that can compete with the U.S. Recently, a team from Shanghai Jiao Tong University has introduced an impressive new detection system. As reported by Stephen Chen in the South China Morning Post, this system can track submarines more effectively than current technologies. Its advanced method uses electromagnetic (EM) signals to pick up very faint signals from enemy submarines, making it harder for them to remain undetected.
This device is roughly the size of a pickup truck. It was tested on the South China Sea’s seabed. Typically, submarines use sonar, sending out sound waves and picking up echoes from underwater objects. However, this new detector does not rely on sonar. Instead, it uses an antenna to identify low-frequency EM waves created by submarine propellers. These waves travel through the seabed without losing strength, allowing for detection from greater distances.
Rather than focusing on sound waves, it analyzes EM waves coming from the seabed. Marine geologists have used this low-frequency detection method to locate oil and gas deposits, but now it’s being adapted for submarine tracking.
To enhance sensitivity, the team developed an algorithm to identify submarine signals while filtering out noise from sea life. This system successfully detected surface ships from nearly 1.86 miles away, tracking their wakes to analyze their types.
The furthest detection achieved with similar technology has been slightly over 1.5 miles. However, the new system could potentially identify faint EM signals from submarines over 31 miles away. To make this happen, researchers would need to integrate multiple high-precision sensors over a smaller area, ensuring they synchronize with incredible accuracy.
If successful, this technology could give Chinese submarines the upper hand against U.S. submarines, allowing for longer-range engagements and requiring U.S. forces to adapt their strategies in contested waters like the South China Sea.
China is steadily expanding its anti-submarine capabilities, which they refer to as the “Underwater Great Wall.” Their detection systems are becoming more advanced each year. In recent research, Chinese scientists discussed Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) that could significantly improve the discovery of submarines by measuring tiny magnetic fields, although they are not currently available.
Additionally, China is also utilizing laser-equipped satellites to find submarines under deep water, reaching depths of up to 525 feet. Thousands of sensor-equipped balloons hovering over the South China Sea further track surface activity in this busy area.
Developing a low-frequency detector could greatly enhance China’s naval capabilities, and ongoing advancements indicate they might be getting closer to making it a reality.
Brandon J. Weichert is a national security analyst and former Congressional staffer. He contributes to various publications and has written several books on security and geopolitical topics.
Check out this related article: Surge in Manufacturing Technology Orders: What Q4 2024 Means for Industry Growth
Source link300+30
