China developing hypersonic missiles for jet fighters

Risingbd Desk: In a major step towards developing hypersonic missiles for jet fighters, China has claimed that it has successfully tested new ramjet engine technology.

China reported that two flight tests with the solid-fuel variable flow ramjet engine were completed last month.

The successful test has been described as 'a milestone in the field of engine research', and could lead to Chinese hypersonic missiles that can strike their targets at more than 4,000mph.

Researchers from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation revealed that the team had successfully conducted the flight tests.

Solid-fuel ramjet engines burn oxygen directly from the atmosphere, rather than needing to carry their own supply, making them a low-cost, high-power option.

While such an engine is extremely difficult to make, it could dramatically increase the firing range and mobility of air-to-air missiles, according to Song Zhongping, a military expert, speaking to the Global Times.

The engine could enable J-20 fighters to fire from three times the range of existing missiles.

And the fighter could hit targets nearly 200 miles away.

Li Jie, a Beijing-based military expert described the tests as 'a milestone in the field of engine research, which has been a bottleneck for China for quite a while.'

Despite the promising test flights, a lot more research needs to be done before the engines can be miniaturised for use on jet fighters.

Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge advised that China should conduct research on building up a super range detection network to support such a long-range strike.

The hypersonic missile isn't the only piece of military technology that China is working on.
Earlier this week, China announced that it is developing the world's fastest amphibious armoured vehicle.

The 4x4 vehicle can reach top speeds of 31 miles/hour (50 kilometres/hour) when travelling in calm waters.

While it is only a proof-of-concept, the vehicle could put China well ahead of the US, whose fastest amphibious armoured vehicle can travel at just 6mph (10 km/h).

Source: The Mail



Risingbd/June 15, 2017/Mukul