Chinese scientists are developing the most powerful machine gun in human history, capable of firing millions of rounds per minute. Known as the “Metal Storm,” this weapon concept was created by Australian inventor Mike O’Dwyer in the 1990s.

According to the South China Morning Post, the gun consists of five or more barrels, each capable of firing at a rate of 450,000 rounds per minute. This allows the gun to produce an unprecedented density of fire, capable of taking down drones and hypersonic missiles traveling at speeds of up to Mach 7.

To achieve this high firing rate, researchers and engineers in Taiyuan, an industrial center in central China, developed an electronic trigger, the first of its kind in heavy weaponry. The electronic trigger is activated automatically by passing an electric current through a coil that generates an electromagnetic field. This non-contact trigger instantly melts a metal wire inside the bullet, creating a high-energy jet that ignites the explosive material in the bullet and launches it in just 17.5 microseconds.

Theoretically, if each firing cycle takes 133 microseconds, a single barrel can sequentially fire 450,000 rounds in one minute. Although the numbers seem theoretical and it’s hard to imagine fitting 450,000 bullets in a barrel, researchers say that by pre-loading the barrels and developing a quick barrel replacement system, such a high firing rate can be practically achieved.

This weapon represents a significant advancement for China in the military field, as the efficient use of the electronic trigger is crucial in developing effective automatic weapons that can make a substantial impact on the battlefield.