But to retain that advantage, America will need to harden its forward bases, invest in missile defence and submarines and counter China’s capacity in asymmetric electronic, cyber and space warfare.

But some researchers, including the U.S. Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, still believe that low-energy nuclear reactions have a future as a power source.

The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific is seeking input from contractors on the availability of modern technologies associated with Global Positioning System equipment.