APOCALYPSE NOW: FUTURE OF WARFARE IN THE PRESENT
The New Indian Express|December 05, 2024
Imagine a future war, not too far in the future. Say, 10 years from today. Now, take a step back and imagine the ongoing wars. You might find that the future is now.
KAJAL BASU
APOCALYPSE NOW: FUTURE OF WARFARE IN THE PRESENT

The worst that our nightmares have been able to cook up for decades involves nuclear-burst clouds, radiation burns impossible to recover from, vaporization en masse, buildings standing stripped of the living.

But what we already have are missiles that can inflict nuclear-level catastrophe—without being nuclear. Russia slung one at Ukraine in the fourth week of November, causing significant devastation and flabbergasting NATO. The Oreshnik—meaning ‘hazel tree’ in Russian, a reference to its many branches sharpened to killing points with six warheads, each with six payloads—is a ‘conventional’ intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) that travels at over 14,000 kmph; it’s unstoppable by any extant antimissile technology. Its 36 warheads can be individually directed to strike different targets.

The Oreshnik stunned military strategists across the world because, at Mach 11, it beat the Mach 9.6 scramjet NASA X-43, the fastest jet-powered aircraft on record. The Russian IRBM has the range to hit all the European capitals in less than 15 minutes (but not the US, although reports suggest an intercontinental version is on the cards by 2025).

If this is the stuff of nightmares, there are petits cauchemars or little nightmares in the making, too: dragon drones. A deadly new weapon in the Russo-Ukrainian war, they spray a molten metal heated to 2,427°C—a rain of fire. Dragon drones carry thermite, a mixture of metal powder often made of aluminum and powdered everyday rust.

この記事は The New Indian Express の December 05, 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は The New Indian Express の December 05, 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESSのその他の記事すべて表示
The New Indian Express

After chaotic two rounds, Game Nine takes quiet turn

IF Tuesday and Wednesday were allaction from the getgo, Thursday was more of a slow burn without the final pay-off.

time-read
2 分  |
December 06, 2024
'Sad' Mbappe pays penalty as Bilbao beat Real Madrid
The New Indian Express

'Sad' Mbappe pays penalty as Bilbao beat Real Madrid

REAL Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Kylian Mbappe was \"sad\" after missing another penalty as champions Real Madrid fell to a 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Wednesday.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06, 2024
The New Indian Express

TN finish SMAT campaign with 94-run victory over Uttarakhand

HAVING already been knocked out of the tournament, Tamil Nadu registered a 94-run win against Uttarakhand in their last match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Thursday.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06, 2024
The New Indian Express

Schutt takes five; Oz ease past India

INDIA slumped to their lowest ODI score against Australia since 2012 in the first ODI as veteran pacer Megan Schutt took five wickets to help the hosts draw first blood in Brisbane.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06, 2024
The New Indian Express

WFI to discuss RSPB's call to skip nationals

AS the National Wrestling Championships begins in Bengaluru on Friday, all eyes will be on the annual general meeting (AGM) of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) scheduled on the last day (Sunday).

time-read
2 分  |
December 06, 2024
The New Indian Express

CT 2025: ICC meeting postponed

EVEN as the delay in finalising the hosts and schedule of the 2025 Champions Trophy continues, the ICC Board meeting, which was supposed to happen on Thursday, got postponed at the last minute.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06, 2024
TWILIGHT SAGA BECKONS
The New Indian Express

TWILIGHT SAGA BECKONS

Having taken a 1-0 lead, Rohit & Co will look to repeat all the things they did right in Perth

time-read
2 分  |
December 06, 2024
Alt fuels saved ₹1.09L cr in forex
The New Indian Express

Alt fuels saved ₹1.09L cr in forex

INDIA has saved nearly ₹1.09 lakh crore in foreign exchange from Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2013-14 to ESY2023-24 by promoting the use of ethanol-blended petrol (EBP) and other alternative fuels.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06, 2024
Hyundai announces car price hike, other carmakers could follow suit
The New Indian Express

Hyundai announces car price hike, other carmakers could follow suit

HYUNDAI Motor India Limited (HMIL), country's second-largest carmaker, will increase prices across its model range by up to ₹25,000, effective January 1, 2025.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06, 2024
Vishal Mega Mart's ₹8,000 crore public offer opens on December 11
The New Indian Express

Vishal Mega Mart's ₹8,000 crore public offer opens on December 11

LEADING supermarket player Vishal Mega Mart's ₹8,000 crore initial public offer will be opening on December 11.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06, 2024