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.

Bu hikaye The New Indian Express dergisinin December 05, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The New Indian Express dergisinin December 05, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
The Great Wall Of India-China Agreements
The New Indian Express

The Great Wall Of India-China Agreements

First came decades of talks and pacts starting in 1993. Then came a 54-month standoff. Now that a new beginning is being signaled, what happens to the earlier covenants?

time-read
4 dak  |
December 06, 2024
Scientists Discover Fast-Growing Glacier
The New Indian Express

Scientists Discover Fast-Growing Glacier

A group of scientists recently discovered a new glacier in Uttarakhand that was found to be rapidly expanding in size.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06, 2024
Bitcoin Beats Regulatory Hurdles, Hits $100k Level
The New Indian Express

Bitcoin Beats Regulatory Hurdles, Hits $100k Level

DESPITE regulatory uncertainties around the globe, Bitcoin prices on Thursday breached the psychologically important level of $100,000, surging nearly 133% over the last one year.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06, 2024
AI can help slash healthcare spending by $360 billion
The New Indian Express

AI can help slash healthcare spending by $360 billion

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based healthcare breakthroughs that support and enhance the capabilities of healthcare practitioners have now become a necessity.

time-read
2 dak  |
December 06, 2024
Telegram makes a U-Turn on child protection: What this means
The New Indian Express

Telegram makes a U-Turn on child protection: What this means

In a significant policy shift, Telegram has agreed to work with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), a leading organization focused on identifying and removing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06, 2024
Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Telangana most affected by malware, says report
The New Indian Express

Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Telangana most affected by malware, says report

Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi are the top three regions most affected by malware, according to the India Cyber Threat Report 2025.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06, 2024
STAY ALERT DURING HOLIDAY SEASON
The New Indian Express

STAY ALERT DURING HOLIDAY SEASON

PHISHING SITES LURE SHOPPERS WITH ENTICING DEALS

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

How broadcast of ongoing title tie was arranged

IN the weeks after Singapore won the right to host the World Championship, they had two main requests.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06, 2024
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 dak  |
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