Various research projects in China have been focused on anti-stealth radar advances, including developing quantum radar technology. China has reported yet another breakthrough in its technological competition with the US.
The South China Morning Post (SCMP), which appears in Hong Kong, has revealed that Chinese researchers have developed a medium-wave infrared system that renders the “stealth” technology of enemy fighter jets ineffective. The system can already identify aircraft at a distance of 285 kilometers.
The US Air Force has had “stealth” aircraft since the 1980s, which develop a much smaller radar profile than conventional aircraft due to their special coating and their unique contours. American “stealth” fighter jets were used in Iraq and against Yugoslavia in 1999 and are difficult to detect with most radars.
China and Russia also have modern stealth aircraft.
According to the Chinese media report, an American F-35A with a maximum speed of around 2 000 kilometers per hour could be tracked up to 9 minutes before reaching the target if the jet approaches at maximum speed. If an approaching aircraft is discovered sooner, it gives the air defense a larger time window to respond.
The small infrared search-and-track system picked up the heat signature of a fast-moving aircraft from an unusually long distance and much faster than most existing heat seekers, the engineering team said.
Long-distance infrared radar technology is an important factor in anti-stealth warfare. Since military aircraft equipped with stealth technology can dodge traditional radar, its body and engines nevertheless emit heat.
Most infrared cameras cannot see beyond a range of 20km because of long infrared waves which are easily absorbed by the atmosphere. The heat-seeking radar for the Chinese J-20 stealth aircraft can pick up a US B-2 stealth bomber and an F-22 fighter from 150km and 110km away respectively.
Size matters
Anti-stealth radar systems usually require a large antenna to pick up the weak signature of stealth aircraft equipped with technology to absorb or deflect radar signals, but China has developed an anti-stealth radar so small it could be quietly and easily set up almost anywhere, including on a rooftop, according to the research team from Chinese defence contractor Sichuan Jiuzhou Electric Group Company.
The heat-seeking radar can also emit a powerful laser beam to illuminate the target aircraft and gather other information, according to the researchers. Due to its small size, the device could be mounted on a car, an airplane or even a satellite for a variety of applications, including surveillance, early warning and (missile) guidance, it said.
“The outline of the target, the rotor, the tail and the number of engines can be clearly identified from the infrared spectrum image,” explained team leader Liu Zhihui.
The Chinese fleet could place such radars on the countless boats in the East and South China Seas, creating a forward-looking radar warning zone. In a military emergency – a war with the US – this would bring a decisive advantage and would increase enemy losses.
The news of the technological breakthrough was released to coincide with joint military exercises with Russia this week as tensions around Taiwan continue to rise after the visit of US Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.
US sends warships to Taiwan
The US meanwhile dispatched two Ticonderoga-class cruisers to the Taiwan Straits. This is a change from the usual US Arleigh Burke class destroyers, which are smaller than Ticonderoga-class cruisers, sent to conduct such missions.
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Beijing responded by putting its military on high alert and signaling its readiness “to stop any provocations in a timely manner”. It castigated the US as “the destroyer of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
The PLA Eastern Theater Command Spokesperson Shi Yi issued a statement on Sunday stating that “the theater command’s troops keep high alert and are fully prepared to crack down on any provocation anytime”.
The Air Force of the #PLA Southern Theater Command has organized multiple sorties and high-intensity live-fire training against ground targets to enhance pilots' air-to-ground striking capability. Video: PLA Southern Theater Command pic.twitter.com/rwdXUGVl5T
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) August 29, 2022
Military exercises with Russia
The Chinese military has arrived in Russia to participate in the Vostok-2022 exercises, Tan Kefei, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Defense, according to RIA Novosti.
“Representatives of the Chinese ground forces and air force who are participating in the Vostok 2022 exercise have already arrived at their destination, set up troop groups, set up a field camp and conducted reconnaissance of the area, and conducted training flights to adapt to the terrain. Representatives of the Chinese Navy grouped with Russian ships and carried out a communication check and other exercises,” said Tan Kefei.
According to him, participation in the Vostok-2022 exercises in Russia is aimed at increasing the level of strategic cooperation with the military of other countries, improving the ability to jointly solve security problems and eliminate various threats.
Article cross-posted from Free West Media.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
