The Chinese magnesium hydride bomb: fireball at 1,000 degrees for 2 seconds, 15 times the temperature of TNT

China successfully tested a new type of bomb based on magnesium hydride. The temperature of the fireball reached 1000°C continuously for 2 seconds, or 15 times the temperature of TNT. Although it is not a nuclear material, it is incredibly powerful. This new weapon, called a "non-nuclear hydrogen bomb," is essentially a new conventional explosive device, but it has a yield surprisingly close to that of a tactical nuclear weapon. This conventional weapon fourth generation was developed by the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. It has a strong thermal effect, avoids the political sensitivity of nuclear weapons and achieved extremely significant results in real combat tests. Chinese sources report that the Chinese Army (PLA) has conducted numerous combat tests with this weapon and the results are very important.  The advent of this weapon gives the Chinese army more combat options, while reducing the risk of conflict escalation. In modern warfare, precision strikes, rather than mass casualties, are often a priority, and this new type of weapon fills this strategic need. Some military experts have pointed out that this could change the military balance in the Pacific region, especially in terms of combat capabilities against high-value targets such as U.S. carrier battle groups. Some military analysts believe that the advent of this technology represents the evolution of conventional weapons into "fourth generation highly effective destructive weapons" and represents the direction of development of future battlefields. As a conventional weapon, the non-nuclear hydrogen bomb can strike a balance between deterrent effect and flexibility of use, demonstrating China's technological strength and strategic resolve while avoiding the risk of nuclear escalation. How will this technological breakthrough change the situation on the battlefield? What role can it play in the Taiwan Strait Unification War?

by Gabriele and Nicola Iuvinale

Non-nuclear destructive power

This new weapon, called a "non-nuclear hydrogen bomb," is essentially a new conventional explosive device, but it has a yield surprisingly close to that of a tactical nuclear weapon. The base material of this weapon, magnesium hydride, seems ordinary, but it contains enormous energy. Once activated, it decomposes rapidly, releasing large quantities of hydrogen, which reacts violently with the oxygen present in the air, forming that suggestive fireball that burns incessantly.

Compared with traditional TNT, the difference of this new bomb is very obvious. The fireball produced by the explosion of ordinary TNT is fleeting, but the ultra-high temperature fire field formed by this new weapon can last more than two seconds, just like a small sun. Experimental data showed that the fireball generated by the 2-kilogram test device had a temperature of more than 1000 degrees Celsius, enough to melt most metallic materials. Although the shock wave peak is only about half that of traditional TNT, it is this characteristic that gives it a unique value on the battlefield.

Chinese sources report that the Chinese Army (PLA) has conducted numerous combat tests with this weapon and the results are very important. In tests conducted on simulated underground bunkers, even if the bomb had exploded externally rather than hitting directly, hot gases would have managed to penetrate inside through various cracks. Test data showed that eight of the ten targets in the fortress were destroyed, while the remaining two were severely damaged. This would have demonstrated the excellent effectiveness of the weapon against fortifications, especially when it is necessary to avoid the shock wave of a large explosion.

This weapon, characterized by high temperature and continuity, would be of great value on modern battlefields, especially when it comes to launching precision attacks against special targets. The successful development of this weapon marks a strategically significant breakthrough for China in the field of conventional weapons technology. This technological advantage will play a vital role in battle environments with special terrain, especially when facing hidden and powerful fortifications.

The nemesis of Taiwan's military fortress

If we turn our attention to the island of Taiwan, the strategic value of this new weapon becomes even more evident for the Chinese Army. As we all know, Taiwan has a complex territory, with mountains and hills occupying most of the island. Over the years, the Taiwanese military has taken advantage of this advantageous geographic location to build large numbers of permanent underground fortresses and command centers within the mountains. These bunkers and fortifications were carefully designed to effectively resist direct hits from conventional munitions, becoming the last survival barrier for the Taiwanese military in the event of possible conflicts.

Traditional ground attack weapons often have limited effectiveness against such fortifications. Even precision-guided bombs or bunker-buster bombs must directly hit fire holes or defense weak points to be effective, which is extremely difficult in real combat. However, the People's Liberation Army's new super bomb provides an entirely new solution. Its characteristic of maintaining a constantly high temperature means that, even if the bomb exploded near the fortress, it could still pose a deadly threat to internal targets, through the effects of thermal radiation and the penetration of high-temperature gases. This means that even if the Taiwanese army hid under the thick mountains, it could not escape this "thermal surprise".

Faced with this new type of threat, according to Chinese military experts, Taiwan's military defense system seems unable to cope with it. Taiwan reportedly believes it is necessary to develop defense systems including laser weapons, microwave weapons, electromagnetic cannons and even Israel's "Iron Dome" to counter the People's Liberation Army's long-range firepower. However, these systems are not only expensive, but their effectiveness in defending against saturation attacks is questionable. The more realistic problem is that Taiwan simply does not have the capacity and funding to acquire and deploy such a complex defense system in a short amount of time. Even if only a few systems were equipped, it would be difficult for them to withstand sustained attacks during real conflicts.

It is worth noting that this super bomb could also have a synergistic effect with other offensive weapons currently in use by the People's Liberation Army. For example, the DF-15C tactical ballistic missile developed by the People's Liberation Army has the ability to penetrate terrain and is used specifically to attack underground targets. This new type of bomb can use constant high temperatures to completely destroy internal structures and personnel after the channel opened by the bunker-buster bomb. This combination of "heavy weapons" and "hot weapons" will be of considerable value in destroying highly protected targets in future offensive battles.

The emergence of this new type of weapon not only changes the possible pattern of future conflicts in the Taiwan Strait from a technical point of view, but also puts great pressure on the Taiwanese military from a psychological point of view. 

From a historical perspective, China's weapons and equipment development has followed a solid and long path. From the explosion of the first hydrogen bomb over Xinjiang in June 1967 to the subsequent mastery of high-tech weapons such as small, low-yield hydrogen bombs, three-phase bombs, and electromagnetic pulse bombs, the scientific and technological capabilities of China's national defense have continued to improve. The successful test of this non-nuclear hydrogen bomb demonstrates that China has once again achieved a major milestone in the field of high-energy weapons, after nuclear weapons, and is a further demonstration of China's independent innovation capabilities.

From a strategic perspective, this new type of weapon fills a fundamental gap between conventional and nuclear weapons. Its statement means that China may have the ability to effectively strike high-value, high-defense targets without violating its commitment to "not use nuclear weapons first." The advent of this weapon gives the Chinese army more combat options, while reducing the risk of conflict escalation. In modern warfare, precision strikes, rather than mass casualties, are often a priority, and this new type of weapon fills this strategic need.

The international community has reacted differently to China's technological breakthrough. The United States and Western countries have expressed concern over China's development of super bombs, believing it shows that Chinese military technology is rapidly narrowing the gap with the West. Some military experts have pointed out that this could change the military balance in the Pacific region, especially in terms of combat capabilities against high-value targets such as U.S. carrier battle groups. At the same time, countries such as Russia have expressed understanding of China's right to develop conventional weapons, but also called on all parties to show restraint. Some military analysts believe that the advent of this technology represents the evolution of conventional weapons into "fourth generation highly effective destructive weapons" and represents the direction of development of future battlefields.

As a conventional weapon, the non-nuclear hydrogen bomb can strike a balance between deterrent effect and flexibility of use, demonstrating China's technological strength and strategic resolve while avoiding the risk of nuclear escalation. 

A winning example of technology in Chinese civil-military fusion

The importance of this super bomb technology goes far beyond the military. The scientific principles and material technology on which it is based have broad prospects also in the civil sector. Magnesium hydride, as a high-efficiency hydrogen storage material, was originally developed to solve the problems of hydrogen energy transportation and storage. Experts predict that this technological breakthrough could provide a major boost to China's hydrogen energy sector, potentially reducing the cost of using hydrogen by more than 20% and supporting China's global competitiveness in clean energy.

High-temperature materials and energy storage technologies can also be widely used in industries characterized by extreme environments, such as aerospace and deep-sea exploration. For example, insulating materials in rocket engines and energy systems in deep-sea probes could benefit from this technology. This development model of military-civilian integration fully reflects China's unique approach to promoting scientific and technological innovation, enabling cutting-edge technology to safeguard national defense security and serve the people's livelihood, thus realizing a virtuous circle of two-way promotion and mutual reinforcement.

Over the next five years this technology is likely to achieve revolutionary advances in many directions. In terms of military applications, improving material stability, intelligent detonation technology and precise control of explosion range will be the main research directions; in the civil sector, safer and more efficient hydrogen storage materials will also be developed, as well as a wider range of energy application scenarios. This dual-use technology development model is an important feature of China's scientific and technological innovation and an important way to catch up in high-tech competition.

In the long run, the development strategy of military-civilian integration will have far-reaching importance for China's scientific and technological innovation and national defense construction. The dual application value of super bomb technology is a clear reflection of the success of this strategy. By establishing an innovation system characterized by military-civilian collaboration, resource sharing and mutual promotion, China can use limited research and development resources to foster greater scientific and technological progress, strike a balance between national defense modernization and economic and social development 

Conclusion

The successful development of China's super bomb technology not only marks a major breakthrough in its national defense science and technology, but also demonstrates China's unremitting efforts in independent research and development of cutting-edge weapons and equipment ensuring the vision of technological self-sufficiency. This innovative model, which can be used for military defense and can also be transformed into civilian value, has given a strong boost to national security and social development. We know that scientific and technological innovation is not just cold laboratory data; it will end up turning into a defensive shield for China and an engine of economic development.