Researchers in China have conducted a simulation to assess the vulnerability of the nation’s major suspension bridges to drone-based attacks. The study, published in the September issue of the Journal of Railway Science and Engineering, highlights potential risks to critical transport infrastructure in the context of evolving modern warfare tactics.
The simulation focused on a typical suspension bridge and determined that a drone carrying 30 kilograms, or approximately 66 pounds, of TNT could potentially cause a structural collapse. According to the researchers, this outcome would occur if the explosive detonated within inches of the main suspension cable at the specific point where it connects to a support tower.
The study authors noted that recent conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, demonstrate a shift in military strategy from mass firepower to precision strikes. This transition has increased the risk profile for large-scale infrastructure projects that were previously considered difficult to target.
In their report, the research team stated that these findings reveal the extreme vulnerability of modern bridges to unconventional explosive attacks. China currently maintains approximately 11,000 mega bridges, which serve as vital components of the country’s transportation network.
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