Chinese aerospace engineers from Northwestern Polytechnical University have introduced a revolutionary "terminal evasion" system that could dramatically increase combat drone survivability—from just 10% to an impressive 87%. The system uses lightweight, side-mounted rocket boosters to execute high-speed, last-second evasive maneuvers.
These evasive bursts are triggered just 1–2 seconds before an incoming missile’s impact, generating up to 16Gs of acceleration. This unpredictability confuses modern missile tracking systems, allowing drones to escape destruction.
While digital simulations show promising results, real-world challenges remain. Engineers must still address concerns like added weight, shortened battery life, and untested field performance.
This breakthrough reflects the intensifying drone arms race amid modern conflicts, especially as drones play an increasingly lethal role in wars such as the Ukraine-Russia confrontation.
