Latest news with #TimothyHeath
South China Morning Post
03-07-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
How are Chinese aircraft carriers pushing limits and testing boundaries in the Pacific?
New details emerging about a rare Chinese military drill involving two aircraft carriers in the Western Pacific last month reveal that the vessels are training with greater intensity and complexity, according to experts. One analyst said that by testing themselves against each, the Liaoning and Shandong carriers could gain a level of experience that even the United States military could not gain in battle because it was usually engaged with far less powerful rivals. Since Monday, state broadcaster CCTV has released several clips of drills focused on reconnaissance and early warning, defensive and counterstrike operations, anti-surface assaults, air defence and day-and-night tactical flights by carrier-based aircraft. 02:21 Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong arrives in Hong Kong for 5-day visit Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong arrives in Hong Kong for 5-day visit In the latest drills, in June, the two vessels operated beyond the second island chain in the Western Pacific together for the first time, reaching waters near Japan's easternmost islands and as far as 965km (600 miles) northeast of Guam , the US' westernmost territory. The drills were different in operations and strategic messaging from China's first dual carrier exercise conducted in October, which mainly took place in the South China Sea, with additional manoeuvres in the Yellow and East China seas. Timothy Heath, a senior international defence researcher at the US-based Rand Corporation, said the key difference was 'greater complexity and intensity'. 'By contrast, last year's exercise was essentially a trial run as it was the first time two carriers operated together. They did not travel as far or for as long a time, and the drills were simpler,' Heath said.
AllAfrica
01-07-2025
- Politics
- AllAfrica
China's new graphite bomb signals shift to silent siege of Taiwan
China's tease of a graphite bomb signals a shift toward non-kinetic warfare aimed at crippling Taiwan's power grid and eroding resistance from within. Recently the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that China in a state broadcaster video had teased a potential new graphite bomb, which appears designed to disable enemy power infrastructure through non-kinetic means. The animation, shared via a CCTV-affiliated channel, shows a land-launched missile deploying 90 submunitions. These eject carbon filaments mid-air, short-circuiting electrical grids across an area exceeding 10,000 square meters. While not officially named, the weapon mirrors characteristics of graphite munitions historically used by the US in Iraq and Kosovo. With a stated range of 290 kilometers and a 490-kilogram warhead, the weapon is allegedly suitable for precision strikes on substations, although its operational status remains undisclosed. CCTV attributed the concept to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation but withheld technical specifications. Analysts highlighted its alignment with People's Liberation Army (PLA) priorities, enabling the paralyzing of command, control and surveillance systems without confrontation. A 2017 commentary by Modern Ships editor Chen Chundi classified graphite bombs as 'game-changing,' citing their potential to bypass conventional defenses and integrate BeiDou-guided tail kits for enhanced accuracy. Online speculation quickly linked the system's deployment to a potential contingency in Taiwan. While China offered no confirmation of deployment or mass production, the broadcast marks a rare public reference to a capability aimed at undermining adversarial command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) frameworks through electromagnetic disruption. The implications of this weapon go beyond battlefield utility. Analyzing the tactical, operational, and strategic impact of China's new graphite bomb in a Taiwan scenario necessitates contextualization within a broader framework. Timothy Heath and other writers mention in a June 2023 RAND report that Taiwan's durability against China's reunification efforts hinges on three interconnected factors: its infrastructure, economy and public resilience. Heath and others state that disruption to power production could exacerbate economic hardships and public suffering. They note that since Taiwan is heavily dependent on trade, it is vulnerable to disruption in the event of a blockade, and low public tolerance towards hardship could result in limited support for resistance. Highlighting the vulnerability of Taiwan's power grid, the Financial Times (FT) reported in March 2024 that Taiwan's energy grid faces acute wartime vulnerabilities due to its centralization, outdated crisis protocols and heavy (82%) dependence on imported fossil fuels for electricity generation. Citing a war game by the Taiwan Center for Security Studies, the FT states that Greater Taipei relies on just three transmission chokepoints, which link northern demand centers to power plants in the center and south, making the grid highly susceptible to kinetic, cyber or electromagnetic attacks. According to a Chinese military journal cited by SCMP in May 2025, a simultaneous strike on three key substations would carry a 99.7% probability of triggering a total blackout in northern Taiwan. The report adds that if timed for peak disruption, such as during a typhoon or election, the collapse of other infrastructure systems could unfold 40% faster. Such infrastructure fragility makes graphite bombs an ideal first-strike tool in a strategy designed to break Taiwan's will to fight before a conventional war even starts, especially if paired with a blockade that controls the tempo of escalation. The logic of this strategy goes beyond infrastructure; it aims to fracture morale and governance. In line with that, Franklin Kramer and others write in a July 2024 Atlantic Council report that a large-scale attack could trigger cascading failures across Taiwan's emergency services, healthcare, water supply and transportation, plunging society into chaos. Such disruptions, they argue, could shake public faith in the government's response, potentially destabilizing its ability to maintain order. They point out that the PLA could exploit societal collapse to enable a decapitation strike aimed at Taiwan's political and military leadership. Kramer and others emphasize that blackouts would be not merely collateral damage but a deliberate tactic designed to paralyze governance, disrupt national defense coordination and accelerate Taiwan's potential capitulation. Targeting Taiwan's critical power infrastructure with 'soft weapons' such as graphite bombs shows China's approach to urban warfare. In an October 2022 RAND report, Sale Lilly notes that the PLA has increasingly focused on the challenges of urban warfare in its preparations for a potential invasion of Taiwan. He cites the Chinese idiom 'killing rats in a porcelain shop' to illustrate the PLA's recognition of the fragility of urban environments like Taipei and the need for caution in such settings. Lilly explains that the phrase, drawn from historical precedent, conveys the difficulty of conducting combat operations without causing widespread damage. While the report highlights the PLA's efforts to prepare for operations in complex urban terrain, it also points out that Chinese military writings may underestimate the duration and intensity of such fighting. A graphite bomb attack on Taiwan's power grid would likely be done in concert with a blockade and intense information warfare, all to ensure that the self-governing island capitulates with little to no resistance. Noting Taiwan's economic vulnerability, Bonny Lin and other writers mention in an August 2024 report for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) that in 2022, Taiwan's imports and exports accounted for 61% and 69% of its GDP, respectively. They also note that 97% of Taiwan's energy and 70% of its food are imported. The same report warns that a Chinese blockade resulting in a 50% trade disruption could spark widespread blackouts and cripple key economic sectors, including the semiconductor industry. It adds that even without total isolation, incremental disruptions to fuel and food shipments alone could induce widespread panic, weaken morale, and prompt Taiwan to negotiate. In concert with a blockade, Vincent So mentions in a May 2025 article for The Interpreter that China's information warfare strategy toward Taiwan aims to erode political cohesion and societal confidence without triggering kinetic retaliation. So says that rather than persuading Taiwan that reunification is desirable, China aims to convince it that reunification is unavoidable. He explains that this is pursued through gradualist grey-zone tactics, including cyberattacks, disinformation, economic coercion and narrative saturation, designed to normalize pressure and fragment decision-making. He adds that Taiwan's fragmented media landscape creates fertile ground for amplification and manipulation, while elite economic dependencies enable quietist accommodation. China's graphite bomb is not just a battlefield tool; it is part of a broader strategy of incapacitation through blackouts, blockade, and narrative warfare. If China views blackout warfare as a prelude to political collapse, graphite bombs may not just be an option. They could be the opening act of a war designed to end without invasion at all.
Mint
26-06-2025
- Science
- Mint
China's tiny mosquito-like drone may sneak into homes for 'special missions'
China has unveiled a miniature drone that closely resembles a mosquito, raising global concerns about its potential use in surveillance and harmful missions. According to report by The Sun, the tiny device has two yellow, leaf-like wings, a slim black body, and three thin legs. A video released by state media over the weekend shows scientists presenting the insect-shaped robot, which they say is designed for a mix of "military and civilian activities". Defence researcher Timothy Heath warned that such drones could also fall into the wrong hands. He cautioned that "criminals could... steal personal information, like passwords" using these devices. Futurist Tracey Follows, who previously worked with Google, added to the concerns, suggesting that the drones could potentially be armed with dangerous materials. 'It's possible they might carry deadly viruses or other harmful materials,' she said. Follows also raised the alarm that the devices may one day operate autonomously, 'without needing human control'. Security experts have flagged serious risks linked to the mosquito drone. They say the machine could be used to eavesdrop on private conversations, track individuals, or harvest sensitive data. There are also concerns that such technology could be misused by criminals for hacking or spying. The drone has drawn comparisons to an episode of the popular sci-fi series Black Mirror. In the episode titled Hated in the Nation, robotic bees created for pollination are hijacked and turned into deadly weapons. While it may appear harmless, experts warn that this small flying machine could become one of the most threatening technologies buzzing through modern homes.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
China shows a 0.6 cm spy drone that is smaller than your fingertip but can paralyse a large army: Watch video
China has revealed a mosquito-like flying robot designed for stealth missions, triggering global concern about its potential use in surveillance, cybercrime, and even biowarfare. Developed by China's National University of Defense Technology (NUDT), the insect-sized drone was recently featured on CCTV 7, the country's official military channel. Tiny, silent, and built for spying At first glance, the drone looks like a harmless insect, with a black stick-like body, delicate yellow wings shaped like leaves, and three wiry legs. However, behind its small frame lies highly sophisticated military engineering designed for intelligence gathering and covert battlefield operations. In a demonstration on state TV, NUDT student Liang Hexiang held up the robot and said, 'Here in my hand is a mosquito-like type of robot. Miniature bionic robots like this one are especially suited to information reconnaissance and special missions on the battlefield.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bargain Prices on Unsold Container Houses in Cebu - Check Them Out! Shipping Container Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo — jeanlol67573289 (@jeanlol67573289) Built to fly under the radar The device is designed for stealth. It is small enough to blend into natural environments and hard to detect by traditional security systems. Chinese scientists have packed communication gear, sensors, power units, and control electronics into its insect-sized body. The drone's four-winged version can be controlled by a smartphone and is part of NUDT's wider work in bio-inspired robotics, including human-like machines and insect-scale flyers. Live Events Experts warn of hacking, spying, and biowarfare risks Security researchers have raised red flags. Timothy Heath, a defence expert, said such drones could be used by criminals to steal passwords or sensitive data. Tracey Follows, a futurist who previously worked with Google, warned that future versions could 'carry deadly viruses or other harmful materials,' and might operate autonomously — without human control — making them even harder to regulate. Similar to Black Mirror's killer robots? The drone's design has drawn eerie comparisons to the Black Mirror episode Hated in the Nation, where robotic bees are weaponised to assassinate people. Social media users say the technology may look like a toy, but could turn into one of the most dangerous surveillance tools ever created. China's expanding drone arsenal The mosquito drone is not the only innovation on display. Chinese engineers have also developed artillery-launched UAVs that can survive the extreme pressure of being fired from 155mm cannon shells — withstanding forces up to 3,000 times their body weight. Global race in microdrones China is not alone. Norway's Black Hornet — a palm-sized helicopter-style micro-UAV — is already in use by multiple armed forces. Harvard University's RoboBee can switch from water to air and perch on surfaces. The US Air Force has also confirmed ongoing work on small drones, though it has shared few details. More than just military use While these machines are designed for warzones, experts say their applications could extend to medicine, agriculture, and disaster relief. Researchers are exploring their use in precision surgery, crop monitoring, pollution detection, and entering hazardous sites unreachable by humans. What's next? From spying and hacking to potential biological attacks, the rise of insect-sized drones is no longer science fiction. The line between biology and robotics is quickly blurring — and with it, the rules of modern warfare and surveillance.
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
‘Spy mosquito': China reveals terrifying mosquito-sized drone for ‘special missions'
A tiny drone that looks like a mosquito has been revealed by China. It's built to fly quietly and secretly, causing concern that it could be used for spying or dangerous missions. The tiny drone has yellow wings like leaves, a thin black body, and three wiry legs, making it look just like a real insect.(Screengrab X/@RafaMorgan64) According to a report in The Sun, the drone has two yellow wings like leaves, a thin black body, and three wiry legs. In a video published by state media over the weekend, scientists are seen holding up the mosquito-like robot which they say will perform a range of military and civilian activities. Timothy Heath, a defence researcher, warned that criminals could also use such devices to steal personal information, like passwords. Also Read: Video: Chinese student walks home with bags on bamboo pole after crucial exam, impresses internet Tracey Follows, a futurist who once worked with Google, warned the drones could be fitted with dangerous items. She said it's possible they might carry deadly viruses or other harmful materials. These drones could one day act without needing human control, which adds to the risk. Spying and hacking fears: Security experts have raised serious concerns. They believe such drones could be used to listen to conversations, track people, or even steal passwords. Some fear that criminals might use the technology for hacking or spying on private lives. Reminds people of Black Mirror: Many people have compared this real-life drone to an episode of the sci-fi show Black Mirror, where robot bees were hijacked to kill people. The show, Hated in the Nation, imagined a future where pollination robots turned into deadly weapons. Also Read: Chinese woman stabbed 22 times in violent ambush, breast implants deflect fatal blows Experts say it may look like a harmless insect, but this drone could soon be the most dangerous thing buzzing around your home.
