Big tension for Trump, Putin as China successfully tests hypersonic missile Feitian-2,' it uses atmospheric oxygen for..., is developed by...

India.com

12 hours ago

As conflicts continue to erupt around the world, every country boosts its defense readiness for the greater threats that are imminent. Every country is arming itself with modern warfare capabilities and advanced weapons to maintain a military advantage in a world where national security is getting increasingly volatile. In what may be a significant breakthrough for hypersonic technology, China has successfully demonstrated a test flight of its Feitian-2 hypersonic vehicle in northwestern China, where it was able to switch between different propulsion modalities in flight — a significant hurdle in the future development of hypersonic vehicles. Who developed the Feitian-2 hypersonic vehicle?
The Feitian-2 hypersonic vehicle was developed as a part of the cooperation between Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) and the Shaanxi Province Aerospace and Astronautics Propulsion Research Institute, as reported by the Economic Times. The flight is consistent with the advancements made by Feitian-1 when it successfully flew in July 2022 and demonstrates useful data for many physical understandings rich in applications regarding Rocket-Based Combined Cycle (RBCC) engine technology. The flight offers performance parameters that form a useful physical basis for future engineering research on aerodynamics and high-speed propulsion. Top features of Feitian-2 that make it stand out! How atmospheric oxygen helps Feitian-2
The standout feature of Feitian-2 is its Rocket-Based Combined Cycle (RBCC) engine operating on a kerosene and hydrogen peroxide combination. In contrast to traditional hypersonic vehicles, which are fueled by cryogenic fuels such as liquid oxygen, the Feitian-2 craft incorporates atmospheric oxygen for portions of the flight. The use of atmospheric oxygen reduces onboard oxidizers, enhancing fuel efficiency. Feitian-2 different modes
The flight experiment with Feitian-2 successfully showed a seamless switch from the first ejector mode, where rockets provide thrust for take-off, to ramjet mode (air-breathing propulsion). This smooth mode switch will be a significant benchmark for sustained hypersonic flight. The engine also showed its variable-geometry intake capability, demonstrating the ability for flow to be controlled automatically in real time. The control of airflow in real-time means that performance can be improved with speed and altitude. This central dynamic feature makes the engine more reliable and the system more efficient with complex flight profiles. How are Feitian-1 and Feitian-2 different?
Feitian-2 has several additions as compared to its predecessor, Feitian-1. It features larger tail fins, and new wings just in front of the rocket's nose, improving the stability and maneuverability during high-speed high-altitude flight. Overall, the upgrades will allow for greater aerodynamic control and flight accuracy in more extreme conditions.
This test also verified that Feitian-2 can fly autonomously. It was able to alter its angle of attack during flight based on the needs of the mission and the conditions around it. This ability is going to be very important for future unmanned hypersonic systems for both military and scientific missions.
Feitian-2 is powered by a kerosene-hydrogen peroxide mixture instead of the traditional cryogenic fuels. While kerosene has less energy even than liquid hydrogen, it is much simpler to store and handle, which leads to a simpler vehicle layout and overcomes the need for heavy cooling systems. Meanwhile, Feitian-1 had previously demonstrated the use of kerosene in hypersonic engines. Moreover, Feitian-2 uses hydrogen peroxide, which is a liquid oxidizer, improving the overall weight of the vehicle while providing stable thrust. This fuel combination may be a factor in the design and operation of hypersonic vehicles in the future.
China's recent advances in hypersonic technology are likely causing the US some concern. Although both America and Russia have been trying to develop combined-cycle engines for years, they have had little success. The Feitian-2 testing shows that China is making significant gains in gathering real, valuable data for hypersonic engine design, and they are showing progress in a difficult area that can bring real challenges. The Feitian-2 test flight has elevated China to a competitive status in the world hypersonic technology race by demonstrating its ability to switch between propulsion modes in flight and with an autonomous control structure while actively managing airflow. These advances may have potential uses besides defense, including fast transportation uses and civilian rapid-response systems.