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They already have low yield nukes but to develop high yield, compact warheads without much nuclear testing (which can be easily detected and would undoubtedly d
by sinuhe69 7y ago
They already have low yield nukes but to develop high yield, compact warheads without much nuclear testing (which can be easily detected and would undoubtedly draw critics from other countries) precise simulation on super computer is necessary. Also to solve fluid dynamics problems (for example to develop advanced jet engines or silent submarine propeller, which the Chinese desperately need), detailed simulation on super computer is absolutely a must. Now running LinPack to show off some nice PR numbers is one thing but actually writing an own efficient (and correct) simulation) on massive parallel systems is a thing of another level. It surely helps if one can draw on the massive highly optimized numerical libraries built for the x86/64 instruction set. It certainly will not hinder either in case one has stolen properties software and code from western companies!
- khuey 7y agoChina demonstrated a 4 megaton explosion in 1976. Tsar Bomba was in 1961. You really don't need modern computers for this.
- sinuhe69 7y agoBut you can not put a tzar bomb on a rocket, that can be fired from a silo or even from a submarine. And to threat America and Europe your rocket need to flight 10000 miles or more and reach Mach 5 or even faster. All possible only with high yield, compact warheads and advanced rocketry, which the Chinese do not have yet.
- khuey 7y agoThe DF-5 can carry those 4Mt warheads, has a 12k+ km range, and has been around since 1981.
- adinobro 7y agoChina already had a top supercomputer a long time before this happened. They didn't need x86 for this... It helps in the future but for this scenario, it makes not difference.