China tests non-nuclear hydrogen bomb, unleashing 1,000°C fireball
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
Chinese scientists have tested a hydrogen-based explosive device that produces a fireball with temperatures exceeding 1,000°C. The explosion lasts 15 times longer than a standard TNT blast, reports SCMP.
According to a study published last month, Chinese researchers successfully detonated a hydrogen-based device during a controlled field test. They triggered a powerful chemical chain reaction without using any nuclear materials.
What a world…countries competing to build the biggest bomb to kill as many as possible; read this; China tests non-nuclear hydrogen bomb, science paper shows https://t.co/Sv4BUYrrDD
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) April 20, 2025
The 2-kilogram bomb generated a fireball that stayed above 1,000°C for more than two seconds. That’s 15 times longer than a TNT blast of similar size.
How the bomb works
The device uses a solid material based on magnesium to store hydrogen. This material, a silver-colored powder known as magnesium hydride, can store significantly more hydrogen than a traditional pressurized tank.
It was originally developed to transport gas to remote areas, where it could be used in fuel cells to produce clean electricity and heat.
In a peer-reviewed paper published in the Chinese-language journal Journal of Projectiles, Rockets, Missiles and Guidance, the researchers said that when triggered by conventional explosives, the magnesium hydride undergoes rapid thermal decomposition. It releases hydrogen gas that ignites, turning into what they described as a “sustained inferno.”
"Hydrogen gas explosions ignite with minimal ignition energy, have a broad explosion range, and unleash flames that race outward rapidly while spreading widely," said the team, led by CSSC research scientist Wang Xuefeng.
The chain reaction begins when the detonation shock waves break the magnesium hydride into micron-sized particles. This exposes fresh surfaces, the study explained.
Thermal decomposition quickly releases hydrogen gas, which mixes with the surrounding air. Once the lower flammability limit is reached, the mixture ignites, triggering exothermic combustion.
The released heat fuels further decomposition of the magnesium hydride. This creates a self-sustaining cycle — a synergistic cascade of mechanical fragmentation, hydrogen release, and thermal feedback.
What threat does the hydrogen bomb pose?
Xuefeng explained that this combination allows for precise control of the explosion’s intensity. It also makes it easier to achieve uniform destruction of targets across wide areas.
At the same time, the hydrogen bomb is known to cause significant thermal damage. The fireball it creates is hot enough to melt aluminum alloys.
Public sources indicate that other potential applications for solid hydrogen storage technology are also being explored. These include use in submarine fuel cells and long-endurance drone power systems.
China’s research
Earlier this year, satellite images revealed what appears to be a massive new thermonuclear research center in China.
It appears that China is likely building a large thermonuclear research facility in the southwestern city of Mianyang. The center could assist in the development of nuclear weapons and in researching electricity generation possibilities.
RBC-Ukraine also reported that after a five-year pause, the US and China have resumed negotiations to discuss nuclear weapons issues.
