China’s Hypersonic Aircraft Achieve Breakthrough in High-Speed Flight
According to CAS, the drone reached a speed of Mach 7 before safely landing and was prepared for reuse. The aircraft, part of the MD hypersonic series, includes models marked MD-19, MD-21, and MD-22.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — A new video from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) reveals a major achievement by the country in hypersonic technology.
The footage shows an unmanned aircraft, the MD-22, being launched into near space using a high-altitude balloon.
According to CAS, the drone reached a speed of Mach 7 before safely landing and was prepared for reuse.
The aircraft, part of the MD hypersonic series, includes models marked MD-19, MD-21, and MD-22.
They share a similar design, featuring wedge-shaped fuselages, delta wings, and twin angled vertical tails.
These drones are designed to be launched from other aircraft, such as the H-6M bomber, for reconnaissance missions over heavily defended areas.
Their ability to fly at extreme altitudes and hypersonic speeds is key to avoiding enemy defenses.
This development follows in the footsteps of Cold War-era surveillance aircraft like the U.S. SR-71 and Soviet MiG-25R/RB, which relied on speed and altitude to avoid threats.
However, China has now advanced further, operating the world’s only known hypersonic aircraft.
Documents from the Pentagon, made public on April 19, 2023, confirm that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has operationalized the WZ-8, a hypersonic surveillance drone.
Based in Anhui province under the Eastern Theatre Command, the WZ-8 is positioned to respond to situations in the Taiwan Strait or the Korean Peninsula.
Its operational experience is expected to guide future advancements, with successors potentially taking on more diverse roles.
The WZ-8 stands out in China’s arsenal, capable of flying at Mach 3 and reaching altitudes of 100,000 feet (30 km).
It is designed for “Penetrating ISR” (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) missions, targeting critical areas with its onboard Synthetic Aperture Radar and Electro-Optical Sensor Packages.
Its speed and altitude make it hard to intercept by air defenses and fighters.
Unlike surveillance satellites, which follow predictable orbits and are vulnerable in conflict, hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft can fly unexpected paths and are easier to hide in underground hangars.
This gives them a critical advantage as a backup for high-altitude intelligence gathering in potential conflicts between major powers. – DSA
