The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has opened up a new front in the war against sleep.
It has developed a drug that can keep its soldiers awake and active for as long as 72 hours, state television reported yesterday. But its scientists didn't disclose its ingredients.
The anti-sleep drug - called Night Eagle - was unveiled as one of 600 scientific achievements in an exhibition marking the 60th anniversary of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences. The China Central Television report did not give further details about the new drug, such as any hint of its composition, how it works or its possible side effects.
Instead, quoting academy researcher Wang Lin, it said the drug was developed specifically for the military to help soldiers cope with sleep deprivation during missions.
'Our troops will have to stay awake for a long time while being able to maintain cognitive abilities when they are deployed in search and rescue operations after earthquakes, floods and other disasters and some special military missions,' Wang said.
Analysts said the Night Eagle drug appeared similar to sleep-suppressants widely used by armed forces of other countries.