The "Perception Code" in the September 3rd Military Parade Equipment: How Sensors Promote Modern Combat Capability Upgrades

(Image source: People's Daily)

During the military parade on September 3, 2025, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, rows of majestic military formations passed through Tiananmen Square, demonstrating not only the modernization of my country's national defense capabilities but also the hidden power of a "perception network" woven by countless sensors. These precision devices, located throughout the equipment, act like "nerve endings," capturing environmental information in real time and driving precise operations, becoming the core support for a major power's "intelligent warfare" capabilities.

01

Missile Weapons:

Sensors Create "Point-to-Shoot" Precision Strike Capabilities

(I) Inertial Navigation System: The Interference-Resistant "Autonomous Positioning Brain"

The inertial navigation system (INS) on the Dongfeng series of ballistic missiles is centered around fiber-optic gyroscopes and accelerometers. Fiber-optic gyroscopes precisely measure angular motion, while quartz flexure accelerometers (with an accuracy of 10⁻⁵g) capture linear acceleration. Through integration, they output position, velocity, and attitude data in real time. Even if GPS signals are interrupted, this system can independently ensure the missile remains on its intended trajectory, acting as the "stabilizing force" for long-range precision strikes.

(II) Infrared Imaging Seeker: Enabling Missile "Lock-On, Hit"

The infrared imaging seeker of the Hongqi series of air defense missiles utilizes an indium antimonide detector (in the medium-wave infrared band) and a cooled infrared focal plane array, resulting in extremely high sensitivity to thermal targets such as jet engine exhaust plumes. Stirling cooler cooling technology further enhances detection accuracy, enabling the missile to autonomously identify target thermal signatures and continuously track them, achieving an intelligent "fire-and-forget" combat mode.

02

Ground Equipment:

Sensors Empower Main Battle Platforms with "Full Battlefield Vision"

(I) Main Battle Tank's "Fire Control Neural Network"

The Type 99A main battle tank's fire control system integrates a laser rangefinder (with an accuracy of ≤±5 meters), a crosswind sensor, and a muzzle deflection sensor. This system enables real-time correction of trajectory parameters, increasing the first-shot hit probability against moving targets to over 85% while on the move. The new tank is also equipped with 13 sensors (including a 6-way visible light/infrared sensor and a 4-way wide-angle phased array radar), achieving 360° day and night "see-through armor" capability, making it easy to counter emerging threats such as drones.

(II) Situational Awareness: From "Passive Defense" to "Active Warning"

The commander's panoramic sight system provides an omnidirectional battlefield view, the laser warning system can detect enemy laser illumination, and nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) sensors monitor environmental safety in real time. These sensors together form a closed loop of "warning - decision-making - defense," significantly enhancing the equipment's survivability in complex battlefields.

03

Aerospace Equipment:

Sensors Create a Technological Barrier in the Battle for Air Supremacy

(I) Airborne Radar: "Battlefield Clairvoyance" from Thousands of Miles Away

The active phased array radars carried by fighter jets and early warning aircraft consist of thousands of T/R modules, capable of simultaneously tracking multiple targets and guiding attacks. Synthetic aperture radars can penetrate clouds for precise ground mapping, and radar altimeters support ultra-low-altitude penetration. Together, these provide the core advantage of "detecting and attacking the enemy first."

(II) Flight Control Sensors: The "Masters of Balance" Ensuring High-Maneuverability Flight

Atmospheric data sensors measure airspeed, air pressure, and temperature, angular rate sensors detect attitude changes, and angle of attack sensors prevent stalls. These devices provide real-time feedback to the flight control system, acting as the "invisible helmsman" that enables fighter jets to complete complex maneuvers and ensure flight safety.

04

Naval Equipment:

Sensors Decipher the Codes of "Underwater Warfare" and "Maritime Offense and Defense"

(I) Sonar Systems: The "Vanguard" of Underwater Target Detection

Ship and submarine side array sonars, towed linear array sonars (away from their own noise interference), and bow sonars work together to detect and identify underwater targets at long distances, making them key equipment for breaking through "ocean blind spots."

(II) Shipborne Electronic Warfare: Sensor-Driven "Electromagnetic Fog Warfare"

Electronic support measures (ESM) detect enemy radar signals, electronic countermeasures (ECM) implement jamming and deception, and electro-optical tracking systems achieve passive target lock—these sensors enable ships to paralyze enemy detection and guidance systems without firing ordnance, forming the core of "soft kill" in modern naval warfare.

05

Individual Soldier Equipment:

Sensors Transform Individual Soldiers into Combat Nodes

(I) Night Vision and Reconnaissance: A Capability Multiplier for All-Weather Operations

Individual night vision goggles use image intensifier tubes to amplify weak light, thermal imagers penetrate smoke to detect hidden targets, and infrared laser designators guide weapons, making night combat no longer synonymous with "visual disadvantage."

(II) Situational Awareness System: The Information Link Between "Individual Soldiers and Command"

Beidou modules locate soldiers, vital signs sensors monitor their physiological status, and chemical agent detectors warn of chemical weapons attacks—these devices integrate individual soldiers into the battlefield information network, enabling coordinated operations where "what the commander sees is what the soldiers see."

06

Development Trends and Outlook of Sensor Technology

Sensor technology in modern defense equipment is developing toward multifunctional integration, intelligence, networking, miniaturization, and enhanced anti-interference capabilities. This military parade also showcased the sensor system's capabilities of "stronger detection, faster integration, and more robust anti-interference capabilities." The early warning and detection team formed a coordinated network using domestically produced, new-generation, highly mobile radars. The electronic countermeasures team highlighted full-frequency surveillance and precision suppression. The air and sea unmanned combat teams made a concentrated appearance, emphasizing AI-driven autonomous collaboration and multi-source perception. The cyberspace and information support teams participated in the review together, demonstrating the accelerated maturity of the integrated battlefield infrastructure of "sensing, communication, and computing power." my country's defense industry has made significant progress in the sensor field, with some technologies reaching internationally advanced levels. These precision sensors enable weaponry and equipment to "see far, strike accurately, and react quickly," and are a key hallmark of national defense modernization.

(This article discusses the application of sensors in defense equipment from a technical perspective only and does not involve any state secrets. All data is sourced from public sources and technical literature.)