China says it has developed an autocannon capable of intercepting hypersonic missiles

Chinese scientists are developing an autocannon capable of firing 450,000 rounds per minute and shooting down missiles traveling at hypersonic speeds of more than Mach 7 (8,300 km/h). This was reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on January 4.

It added that scientists have also solved the problem of replenishing ammunition for this type of weapon. According to the publication, the solution is that the container itself with guns and is a magazine with ammunition. After the bullets are fired, the disposable barrels are simply discarded along with the entire container.

"Traditional machine guns use mechanical triggers, but they cannot meet the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) requirement to fire 7,500 rounds per second," SCMP writes.

It is specified that to solve the problem, a team of scientists developed an electronic trigger mechanism consisting of electromechanical coils.

For comparison, the publication mentions the maximum rate of fire of the most powerful system of the U.S. armed forces "Phalanx" - 4.5 thousand shots per minute.

Loaded for production: law enforcement agencies will receive Lebedev's new pistol

It will gradually replace the legendary Makarov and Stechkin

In June 2024, it was reported that Russian designers have developed a 7.62-millimeter compact PKZ machine gun. According to the developers from the Perm-based Labi design bureau, it will be in demand where fighters have to fight in cramped conditions. The length of the novelty is only 850 mm, weight is about 7 kg without ammunition box. It is 1.5 kg lighter than the PKM machine gun.