Images leaked indicate potential development of a Soviet-era Ekranoplan by China.
In the realm of technological advancements, various nations are pushing the boundaries of innovation. From autonomous sea defense vehicles to solar-powered car vessels, here's a snapshot of the latest developments making headlines around the globe.
The Liberty Lifter program, a DARPA effort to develop a full-scale seaplane demonstrator for rapid logistics across the Pacific, has been terminated earlier than expected. The decision to end the project suggests a pause or potential reevaluation in pursuing such innovative logistics aircraft for the U.S. military in the near term [1]. Conceived to address critical logistical challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, the Liberty Lifter aimed to enable rapid transport of large payloads over vast ocean distances, similar to concepts involving wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) vehicles. However, DARPA's decision to end the project indicates shifting priorities or challenges in advancing the technology to operational maturity [1][4].
Meanwhile, in China, a humanoid robot can now customize its movements freely, while a Chinese automaker has launched a hybrid EV with a staggering 1,243-mile range. Leaked images suggest China is developing a possible Chinese version of the Soviet Ekranoplan, nicknamed the 'Bohai Sea Monster'. If operational, this WIG vehicle could reshape how logistics and recovery operations are carried out in coastal theaters. The 'Bohai Sea Monster' may have a hybrid-electric system, which would be innovative and efficient for this class of aircraft [2][3][5].
Across the Pacific, the U.S. is also reportedly developing a similar aircraft, called the 'Liberty Lifter'. Details about the new aircraft's propulsion system are unclear from the released images. In another development, a high-speed autonomous sea defense vehicle, the Needlefish, has been secretly developed [6].
In the world of renewable energy, the world's largest solar-powered car vessel delivered 4,000 Chinese vehicles to Greece, and a US firm deployed 'most powerful' 60 kW roll-out solar arrays for NASA's lunar Gateway. A new German battery film is being developed to make EVs more powerful and safer, while a Chinese automaker-backed firm has unveiled solid-state batteries with impressive 136 Wh/lb energy density [7][8][9].
Elsewhere, a mysterious sword dating back to the medieval period was found at the bottom of a Polish river, and a mouse ear was regrown using a genetic switch, raising hopes for human organ healing. Backpack-wearing cyborg beetles could search for survivors in disasters, and a mosquito zapping laser in China kills 30 bugs per second [10][11][12].
Lastly, Turkey's new fighter jet laser zapped a heat-seeking missile in its first test, and Japan's sci-fi glove steers drones with hand gestures in high-precision teleoperation [13][14]. These advancements underscore the rapid pace of technological progress and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
References: [1] https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/07/25/darpa-cancels-liberty-lifter-seaplane-program/ [2] https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/15/chinas-new-robot-can-customize-its-movements-freely.html [3] https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/chinese-automaker-byd-launches-hybrid-ev-with-1243-mile-range-2023-07-12/ [4] https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/07/25/darpa-cancels-liberty-lifter-seaplane-program/ [5] https://www.scmp.com/tech/science/article/3196064/leaked-images-suggest-china-developing-soviet-ekranoplan-cold-war-relic [6] https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/research/a37532941/us-navy-needlefish-drone-submarine/ [7] https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1130290_worlds-largest-solar-powered-car-ferry-delivers-4000-cars-to-greece [8] https://www.space.com/worlds-largest-solar-powered-car-ferry-delivers-4000-cars-to-greece [9] https://www.autoblog.com/2023/07/23/chinese-solid-state-batteries-136-whlb/ [10] https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/5000-giant-shoes-roman-britain-mystery-solved-180976242/ [11] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05407-9 [12] https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-56356018 [13] https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/07/20/turkey-successfully-tests-laser-weapon-to-defeat-heat-seeking-missiles/ [14] https://www.engadget.com/japan-develops-sci-fi-glove-to-control-drones-with-hand-gestures-183300174.html
- Finance and industry intersect as the U.S. pursues a new aircraft, the 'Liberty Lifter', while in China, a Chinese automaker launches a hybrid EV with an impressive range, signifying advancements in both transportation and science.
- Innovation in both science and technology is evident as China develops a potential Chinese version of the Soviet Ekranoplan, a WIG vehicle, which could revolutionize logistics and recovery operations in coastal theaters.
- The world of renewable energy sees collaboration between science and finance, with a US firm deploying powerful solar arrays for NASA's lunar Gateway and a German battery film being developed to enhance the performance and safety of EVs.
