Bridge Vulnerability and Drone Simulations
Currently, Chinese researchers simulated devastating drone attacks on major suspension bridges. Specifically, scientists discovered that precision strikes pose a severe structural threat. Furthermore, a small drone carrying merely 30 kilograms of TNT could trigger a total collapse. Consequently, the explosion must detonate within inches of the main suspension cable near a support tower. Ultimately, modern warfare has rapidly shifted from mass firepower toward highly targeted precision strikes.
Strategic Infrastructure and Warfare Context
Meanwhile, the ongoing war in Ukraine heavily inspired this urgent engineering study. For instance, targeted military attacks on critical Russian supply bridges highlighted these modern vulnerabilities. In addition, China currently possesses more than 11,000 super-large mega bridges across its vast territory. Indeed, researchers modeled their explosive simulations on the massive Dimuhe River Bridge in Guizhou province. Therefore, protecting these record-breaking transport hubs holds extreme strategic value for national defense.
Blast Impacts and Defensive Solutions
Moreover, the study revealed that precise contact capability is far more dangerous than high explosive yield. In fact, a drone armed with just five kilograms of TNT can successfully sever a main cable. Similarly, close-range blasts easily trigger a catastrophic domino effect of snapping cables and flipping decks. However, retrofitting existing structures with high-density polythene protective sheaths offers a highly practical defensive solution. Ultimately, future bridge designs should explicitly incorporate increased cable dimensions to properly mitigate these blast risks.
Reference
Bela, V. (2026, September 21). Some of China’s 11,000 mega bridges could be at risk from small drones: study. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3368205/some-chinas-11000-mega-bridges-could-be-risk-small-drones-study