Crab-walking electric launcher could mark China’s nuclear game changer

Chinese researchers, led by Tsinghua University and collaborating with multiple institutes, have developed a fully modular, intelligent electric-drive heavy-duty vehicle that could serve as a mobile launcher for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Unveiled in December 2024, the prototype features a scalable wheel configuration that allows its load capacity to be adjusted by adding or removing wheel modules. Each wheel operates independently for driving, braking, steering, and suspension, coordinated by an intelligent control system enabling crablike movement, including diagonal and sideways motion. This design enhances mobility across challenging terrains that conventional military vehicles struggle to navigate. The vehicle is fully electric, producing no exhaust smoke, minimal heat, and near-silent operation, significantly improving stealth and survivability in critical missions. It can pivot around its axis to reduce turning radius, climb steep slopes in zigzag patterns, and maintain stability on winding roads at high speeds due to electric-drive tires that suppress roll and pitch. The elimination of complex mechanical parts like gearboxes and