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Chinese military scientists have claimed a major technological breakthrough with the development of the world’s fastest electromagnetic coilgun, capable of firing at a staggering 3,000 rounds per minute — a rate that far exceeds conventional firearms and commercial models globally.
The announcement follows the release of footage by the state-owned China South Industries Group (CSGC) on 18 April, showcasing a prototype of the weapon in action.
The video has drawn significant attention from military analysts, who say the demonstrated firing rate could reshape battlefield dynamics in the future.
While CSGC did not disclose detailed specifications, a peer-reviewed study published on Monday in the Journal of Gun Launch & Control revealed key insights.
According to the paper, a team led by Professor Xiang Hongjun of the Army Engineering University developed the world’s first capacitor-free electromagnetic coilgun, using direct lithium battery power to drive a multi-stage coil system.
Traditional coilguns depend on capacitors to store and discharge electricity in pulses, a process that limits firing speed due to recharging delays.
For example, the American GR-1 “Anvil” commercial coilgun is capped at around 100 rounds per minute. However, by eliminating the capacitor charging cycle, Xiang's team claims to have surpassed these limitations.
Their tests achieved a firing rate of 277 rounds per minute with a 3D-printed prototype. The researchers suggest that actual performance has since improved significantly due to advancements in Chinese battery systems and semiconductor control chips.
The experimental design includes 20 copper coil stages, each 25mm in length, fitted into a compact bullpup-style chassis resembling Belgium’s P90 submachine gun.
The weapon fires steel armatures accelerated by nanosecond-precision power bursts triggered as the projectiles pass through magnetic coils.
Sensors detect projectile movement, activating each coil 2mm in advance and cutting power 35mm after passage — a precisely timed sequence intended to boost acceleration while reducing drag. Position-timing mapping algorithms and insulated-gate bipolar transistor semiconductors are central to this precision.
Safety measures have also been integrated, such as fuses to manage current spikes of up to 750 amperes and thermal engineering to prevent battery overheating.
Finite element simulations helped refine timing for each coil's firing sequence down to the millisecond, according to the paper.
The current model reaches a projectile speed of 86 metres per second, which scientists say is suitable for non-lethal riot control scenarios. However, the system is considered scalable for more lethal applications.
The weapon’s high rate of fire — five times faster than an AK-47 — allows for overwhelming suppressive fire, making it useful in crowd control and close-quarters engagements, the study noted.
Additional benefits include silent operation, no muzzle flash, and adjustable lethality, features that researchers say make it well-suited for covert operations.
“This kind of continuous high-speed fire can deter approaching threats and outpace enemy responses, making it highly effective in riot control,” the research team wrote.
Despite the potential, limitations remain. The scientists acknowledge that the prototype has low accuracy and a lengthy battery recharge time, reportedly around an hour.
Still, the new approach is seen as a significant leap in electromagnetic weapon development.
Experts say while full deployment may take time, China's emphasis on coilgun technology reflects its broader military modernisation strategy — and a desire to compete with the United States and other global powers in next-generation arms innovation.
