# Chinese research into nuclear-powered railgun tanks > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/chinese-research-into-nuclear-powered-railgun-tanks > Updated: 2026-09-30T21:03:00.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2. Chinese researchers from the Beijing Institute of Technology, the Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group, and the National Reference Laboratory for Special Vehicle Design and Manufacturing Integration Technologies have proposed a conceptual framework for a 60-ton combat vehicle. The design, detailed in the journal Acta Armamentarii, features a long-term development plan centered on integrating electromagnetic weaponry and nuclear propulsion. The proposal outlines a three-phase trajectory. The initial phase aims to integrate a 10 MJ electromagnetic gun into diesel-electric chassis by 2035, providing a strike range of approximately 150 kilometers. The second phase targets an increase in energy to 20 MJ for a 300 km range by 2045. The final vision, projected for after 2045, involves replacing conventional engines with a compact 10 MW liquid-metal-cooled nuclear reactor. This advanced system would power a 50 MJ electromagnetic cannon capable of accelerating projectiles to 3.5 km/s, potentially achieving a strike range of 450 kilometers. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-30: China researchers propose nuclear-powered tank with electromagnetic cannon Chinese researchers have proposed a conceptual 60-ton nuclear-powered tank equipped with an electromagnetic cannon capable of striking targets up to 450 km away by 2045. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-researchers-propose-nuclear-powered-tank-with-electromagnetic-cannon ### 2026-09-16: China proposes 60-ton nuclear-powered tank with railgun Chinese researchers have proposed a 60-ton tank concept featuring a 10 MW nuclear reactor and a 50 MJ electromagnetic railgun capable of a theoretical 450 km range. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-proposes-nuclear-powered-tank-with-long-range-railgun --- Cite as: Chinese research into nuclear-powered railgun tanks. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/chinese-research-into-nuclear-powered-railgun-tanks