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‘Feitian 2': What we know about China's new hypersonic craft and why it matters
China has a new hypersonic craft nicknamed the 'Feitian 2'. AP
China has a new hypersonic craft.
The craft named 'Feitian 2' was successfully tested at a site in northwest China.
Experts have expressed concern at the development and the pace at which Beijing's hypersonic missile programme is evolving.
But what do we know about the 'Feitian 2'? Why does it matter?
Let's take a closer look:
What we know
The 'Feitian 2' was developed by scientists at the Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU).
It is an experimental, reusable vehicle.
The Shaanxi Province Aerospace and Astronautics Propulsion Research Institute also participated in the project.
The craft is said to have reached speeds of up to Mach 12 (14,800 kmph).
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The NPU-led team said the development marked the first time real-flight data has been collected for a rocket-based combined cycle (RBCC) engine using a kerosene-hydrogen peroxide propellant.
The team said the test flight demonstrated the 'Feitian 2's' capabilities to transition between various flight modes.
This included toggling between ejector mode at take off
It also demonstrated key capabilities including variable-geometry intake operation, thrust-varying acceleration and autonomous flight with variable angle of attack.
The Chinese researchers have claimed that this allows the craft to change its inner structure during the operation as well as autonomously change its trajectory and angle if needed.
The 'Feitian 2' was developed by scientists at the Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU). Image courtesy: X
The test comes three years after the 'Feitian 1' had a test flight in July 2022.
The 'Feitian 2'has larger tail fins compared to its predecessor.
It also has wings near its rocket head.
This helps the craft better stabilise and control itself.
Why it matters
Hypersonic missiles usually use liquid oxygen combined with kerosene or liquid hydrogen as propellants.
The 'Feitian 1' showed kerosene can be used as fuel for the propulsion system. Meanwhile, the 'Feitian 2' used a kerosene and hydrogen peroxide propellant. This allows it to get rid of complex cryogenic systems needed.
It essentially combines a traditional rocket engine with that of a ramjet – which relies on oxygen.
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This may sound simple, but it is in fact a ground-breaking achievement.
The 'Feitian 2' does this because its RBCC engine, unlike those of normal hypersonic missiles which used liquid oxygen, is designed to use atmospheric oxygen.
It thus massively brings down the weight of the oxidiser – which is needed at high altitudes or in thin atmosphere – used during the flight.
This in turn increases the craft's possible payload as well as its fuel efficiency.
It also gets rid off the need for a heavy cooling system.
Achieving smooth transitions between different flight modes has thus far been a problem for hypersonic missiles and crafts.
However, it seems that the NPU-led team has solved this problem, which is a massive scientific achievement.
The test also showed that the vehicle was capable of autonomous flight.
The researchers say that the successful test flight of the 'Feitian 2' will aid the future development of supersonic crafts and missiles.
They say this could result in reusable military drones, hypersonic reconnaissance crafts and even civilian transport ships.
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It also puts China ahead of its competitors including the US and Russia in the field of hypersonic missile tech.
Beijing already has a number of hypersonic missiles including the DF-100, Starry Sky-2, YJ-21 and Lingyun-1.
China also has developed a number of hypersonic glide vehicles including the DF-ZF, which is paired with the DF-17 ballistic missile.
This achievement comes even as the NPU remains under US sanctions.
Undergraduate students from NPU also have a tough time obtaining US visas.
US experts have expressed concern at the development, saying that China has basically used research done in the US as a springboard to leap ahead.
With inputs from agencies
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