China Applies AI to Hypersonic Wind Tunnel Tests

China's integration of artificial intelligence into weapons development marks a pivotal shift from "manufacturing" to 

"intelligent manufacturing" in its defense industry. This evolution, from 1980s manual drafting to AI-optimized 

artillery today, underscores a strategic imperative to secure a leading role in global military technology.

AI is fundamentally reshaping the R&D lifecycle. It acts as an indefatigable designer, analyzing decades of ballistic 

data to create precise firing tables and using digital twins to run thousands of simulations in virtual arsenals. Notable 

outcomes include the compact coiled gun, a product of AI-driven parameter optimization, and the application of 

AI to hypersonic weapon wind tunnel testing (Figure 1). This "digital-first, real-world-verification" model dramatically 

shortens development cycles from blueprint to deployment.

This transformation is strategically vital. AI can significantly enhance legacy systems with low automation, effectively 

modernizing existing equipment. More critically, facing U.S. high-end chip embargoes (Figure 2), building a 

self-reliant AI defense system is a matter of national security. The controlled advanced computing chips represent a 

constant vulnerability, compelling China to innovate for maximum efficacy with limited resources.

To navigate these challenges, a dual-pronged approach is essential:

Technological Innovation: Amidst chip restrictions, exploring alternatives like quantum and heterogeneous computing 

could offer pathways for leapfrog development.

Governance and Control: Strict AI development standards and interdisciplinary ethics reviews are crucial to ensure 

controllability and define clear red lines for military AI.

On the international stage, China should actively engage in global AI arms control dialogues (Figure 3). Engaging 

through civilian technology exchange and academic channels can facilitate integration into the global tech ecosystem 

without breaching sensitive technology transfer boundaries.

The next decade will likely see human-AI collaboration become mainstream, with AI identifying patterns and humans 

guiding strategy and ethics, potentially enabling a generational leap from informatization to intelligentization. Under 

the civil-military fusion strategy, proven civilian AI algorithms, once adapted, can become a wellspring of defense 

innovation.

Ultimately, this intelligent revolution hinges on balancing technological empowerment with risk management. As AI 

redefines both weapon design and national security itself, steadfast commitment to independent innovation and 

international cooperation is paramount to securing the nation in an uncertain future.