China Tests Supersonic Jet Prototype, Promises Beijing to New York in Two Hours

6 hours ago Editor

China’s Space Transportation has unveiled its supersonic passenger jet prototype, Yunxing, capable of flying at Mach 4—twice the speed of Concorde. Aiming for a 2027 maiden flight, the jet could revolutionize travel by reducing Beijing to New York flights to just two hours.

A Beijing-based aerospace company has successfully tested a prototype of a supersonic passenger jet designed to fly at nearly double the speed of Concorde, the world’s first supersonic passenger airliner. Known as Space Transportation or Lingkong Tianxing Technology, the company revealed that its Yunxing prototype jet achieved speeds up to Mach 4, approximately 3,069 miles per hour.

The company plans further engine tests next month and targets the maiden flight of a full-sized model by 2027. The supersonic jet could transform intercontinental travel, cutting travel time between Beijing and New York to just two hours.

The prototype boasts advanced features, including vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, and can operate at altitudes of about 65,600 feet (20,000 meters). This significant achievement draws comparisons to Concorde, the British-French airliner that famously flew at twice the speed of sound, using powerful Rolls-Royce Olympus engines to cross the Atlantic in record time.

Space Transportation’s supersonic innovation underscores China’s growing expertise in hypersonic technology. The company, founded in 2018, specializes in space transport systems aimed at reducing exploration costs. With a comprehensive approach to aircraft development and rigorous testing, it is building on successful projects like the Tianxing I rocket’s Yao-10 mission.

The recent Yunxing test evaluated the prototype’s aerodynamics, thermal protection, and control systems, showcasing its potential as a next-generation transport solution.