TOPIC

Hypersonic flight

Related Topics:
Hypersonic flight
Hypersonic flight - which means attaining speeds of more than Mach 5 below altitudes of 90km (56 miles) - is seen as the future of international travel, theoretically allowing people to traverse the entire planet in just a few hours' flight. It may also be used militarily, transforming the risks and rules of global conflict.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Australia holds the world’s largest reserves of zirconium which is used in hypersonic missiles for its thermal qualities. Photo: Shutterstock
Science

Competition set to heat up over Australian gemstone used in hypersonic weapons

A mineral with thermal qualities vital to hypersonic aircraft could soon be at the centre of the next US-China supply battle.

videocam
Science

China’s hypersonic jumbo jet prototype hits Mach 6 in Gobi Desert test flight

30
Science

China’s scientists unveil engine design that could transform hypersonic flight

videocam
55
Science

Chinese team thinks ‘outside the box’ to find a cool solution to hypersonic heat

Scientists say they have come up with a simple, cylindrical device that can control one of the biggest challenges to hypersonic flight.

videocam
19
The launch of a DF-17 hypersonic glide missile. China is in a race with the US and Russia to develop hypersonic capabilities. Photo: CCTV
Science

China’s new hypersonic glider can power-jump to the other side of the Earth

A new type of skipping stone trajectory is being used by Chinese scientists to increase the range of hypersonic weapons.

videocam
77
Science

China’s new interception radar ‘can track 10 hypersonic missiles at Mach 20’

New microwave photonic radar boasts a detection range of over 600km and can identify false targets, according to Chinese scientists.

videocam
94
Advertisement
Advertisement
Science

Chinese scientists question ‘flaw’ in Nasa’s hypersonic aerodynamics software

Due to potential use in development of hypersonic weapons, Vulcan-CFD software is subject to export controls with distributions limited to within US.

videocam
62
Nasa introduced the working principles of Vulcan and some key equations it used in an academic paper published in 2020. The software is used to develop hypersonic weapons in the US. Photo: US Air Force
Science

In a battle between lasers and hypersonic weapons, scientists find less is more

Chinese research into the effectiveness of using lasers to combat hypersonic missiles turns up some surprise findings.

videocam
51
Science

China plans to build a giant rail gun to launch hypersonic planes into space

It was a project that Nasa abandoned. Now China is determined to make electromagnetic hypersonic space launches a reality.

videocam
17
Science

China’s new hypersonic drone beats F-22 in aerodynamic efficiency: study

A new unmanned aircraft is set to pose a challenge to missile defence systems with quick manoeuvrability even at high altitudes.

videocam
96
The Chinese hypersonic drones have been shown to be superior to American F-22 Raptors during wind tunnel testing. Photo: EPA-EFE/US Air Force
Science

China invents most powerful detonation engine for hypersonic flight

Paper says design integrating rotational and straight-line detonation across a wide speed range is ‘world first’ and testament to Chinese ingenuity.

videocam
38
Blueprint of a hypersonic flight engine that combines rotationary and oblique detonation drive. Photo: Beijing Power Machinery Institute
Science

China makes massive leap ahead with hypersonic technology

Scientists have developed a breakthrough surface material previously thought to be impossible.

videocam
108
Aviation

Tokyo to New York in 1 hour? Hypersonic ‘Stargazer’ jet aims to best Concorde

Being developed to fly at nine times the speed of sound, Venus Aerospace’s planned jet will be equipped with rocket engines to climb to an altitude of 52,000 metres – more than four times as high as traditional jetliners.

videocam
5
US-China relations

US cracks down on flight training for Chinese pilots with export restrictions

Dozens of entities, including a security firm previously run by Blackwater founder Erik Prince, were added to the entity list over national security concerns.

videocam
24
A Chinese People’s Liberation Army pilot flies a fighter plane during the “Joint Sword” military exercises in April. Photo: Military Department of China National Radio
Science

China now has the world’s most powerful hypersonic wind tunnel

The world-leading JF-22 can simulate extreme flight conditions at Mach 30 and will play key role in developing Beijing’s hypersonic weapons programme and passenger air travel.

videocam
53
The JF-22, located in Beijing, can simulate extreme flight conditions at 30 times the speed of sound. Photo: handout
Science

British chair professor joins China’s hypersonic programme

Physicist Zhang Yonghao resigned from the University of Edinburgh to join China’s new national hypersonic laboratory in Beijing.

videocam
70
Science

Chinese AI reveals surprising tactic for winning hypersonic air battle

To defeat enemy in aerial combat, hypersonic plane should zoom ahead and launch missile backwards, allowing pilot to strike quickly from a long distance, according to computer simulation.

videocam
35
Advertisement
Advertisement
Science

China team ‘nearly doubles boron engine efficiency’ for hypersonic flight

Military researchers say their innovation could boost the operational range for hypersonic weapons.

videocam
18
The team’s boron engine switched between different working modes to achieve higher fuel efficiency in a simulated flight at Mach 6. Photo: National University of Defence Technology
Science

Chinese scientists build hypersonic generator to power futuristic weapons

Researchers in China say the technology could be used to charge military lasers, rail guns and microwave weapons that require huge amounts of electricity.

videocam
19
Science

The reusable air defence system that could protect China from hypersonic weapons

Chinese engineers say they’ve solved a big problem that could allow major advances in air defence.

videocam
52
Science

China looks to hypersonic ski-jump technology for space travel

An obsolete way to launch jets from aircraft carriers could hold the key to affordable transport beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

Chinese scientists have turned to the earliest method of launching jets from aircraft carriers for a solution to one of the barriers to hypersonic space flight. Photo: Xinhua
Science

Chinese team says hypersonic engine can hit Mach 9 on low-cost jet fuel

The device can travel at nine times the speed of sound without the expense or explosion risk of burning hydrogen, according to paper.

videocam
22
The Chinese government plans to build a fleet of hypersonic aircraft that can transport passengers anywhere on the planet in an hour or two. Photo: SCMP
Science

Chinese team reveals hypersonic weapons breakthrough for aircraft carrier

PLA research team says new seal simplifies and speeds up the repair and maintenance of hypersonic weapons.

videocam
45
Science

Chinese researchers simulate hypersonic bombing in wind tunnel

New device uses robotic arms to test an aircraft’s ability to unload cargo, such as a weapon or spacecraft, at extremely fast speeds.

videocam
6
Science

Chinese scientists say coal power could slash hypersonic flight costs

Experimental engine uses low-cost mix of carbon particles and ethylene to trigger shocks at six times the speed of sound.

videocam
13
A team of researchers in China is testing an engine that uses a petroleum by-product to turn coal into a hypersonic fuel. Photo: Handout
Science

China’s suborbital space plane project gets major funding boost

The country’s biggest research funder will support civilian hypersonic flight technology designed to carry passengers between continents in just an hour.

videocam
19
China is in a hypersonic race with US rival SpaceX, which is developing rocket-powered space vehicles. Photo: AFP/SpaceX
Science

China’s landmark wind tunnel goes Mach 33 thanks to Australian invention

The world’s largest free-piston driven shock tunnel will allow China to conduct hypersonic experiments and test its space innovations.

videocam
57
Science

Chinese team claims ‘highly reliable’ communications during hypersonic flight

Researchers from space physics laboratory say they made ‘breakthrough’ during ‘multiple’ hypersonic weapon tests, and their system could overcome the plasma blackout seen at this extreme speed.

videocam
9
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement