In this explosive episode of the Silk and Steel Podcast, host Carl Zha is joined by returning expert TP Huang to break down the stunning array of new weapons systems China recently unveiled. From hypersonic missiles that can be launched from submarines to J-20-sized stealth fighter drones, the parade showcased technologies that are years, if not decades, ahead of what other nations are developing.
TP Huang, a seasoned analyst with over 20 years of experience studying the Chinese military, provides an unparalleled deep dive into what these systems mean for the global balance of power. We move beyond the headlines to understand the real-world implications of these advancements.
Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:30 - TP Huang's Background & Expertise04:45 - The Missile Overview: A New Family of Hypersonic Threats06:50 - YJ-19: The Submarine-Launched Game-Changer10:30 - Naval Hypersonics: How Destroyers & Carriers Get Strike Power15:10 - Defining "Hypersonic" vs. Ballistic Missiles20:45 - The "Guam Killer" DF-26 & DF-27: Pushing the US Back29:15 - US Strategy Impact: Is the Pentagon Recalculating?32:00 - The Drone Revolution: China's "Loyal Wingman" & Stealth Fighters38:00 - Large Combat Drones: Supersonic, Tailless, and Beyond J-2045:10 - How Drones Change Aerial Combat Doctrine50:25 - Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs): The Submarine Drone Fleet55:40 - Ground Forces: New Tanks & Lessons from Ukraine01:00:30 - Directed Energy: Laser & Microwave Weapons in Service01:05:15 - The Engineering Edge: Why China's Tech is Advancing So Fast01:10:45 - Electronic Warfare & AWACS: The "Invisible" Force Multipliers01:15:20 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find TP Huang
Key Systems Discussed:
Missiles: YJ-21, YJ-19 (sub-launched), CJ-1000, DF-17, DF-26, DF-27
Aircraft: J-20, J-35, J-16D (EW), KJ-600 (AWACS)
Drones: GJ-11, Large stealth fighter drones, "Loyal Wingman" drones, Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs)
Ground/Naval: Type 100 Tank, Laser Defense Systems, Microwave Weapons
Follow TP Huang:
On X (Twitter): @TPHuang
On Substack: TPHuang's Newsletter#China #MilitaryTechnology #HypersonicMissile #Drone #UAV #PLA #Defense #Geopolitics #USChina
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