The Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IMECH) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has released footage of testing a prototype hypersonic drone for the first time. This is an aircraft type aircraft. In theory, it is aimed at flying higher than conventional aircraft, but lower than satellites. Such hypersonic aircraft can provide express delivery of cargo and be used for scientific purposes.
Image Source: SCMP
The first prototype of the MD series drone was shown two years ago at the Zhuhai Aviation Show. In its final version, the device will provide a flight range of up to 8,000 km with transportation of up to 600 kg of payload. A group of IMECH engineers began working on its design in 2018. The first successful tests of the prototype took place in November 2021.
The tests were carried out with an air launch. The drone was lifted into the stratosphere in a balloon and then dropped. After gaining speed during the dive, the drone started its engines and switched to horizontal flight. It is stated that it reached a speed of Mach 7. Then the plane landed on the runway, where it was prepared for the next test flight.
In a similar way, prototypes of Talon-A hypersonic drones are being tested in the United States, which are dropped from under the wing of the giant Stratolaunch Rukh aircraft. This year they fired engines in flight for the first time. Obviously, the problem is in the engines, which are still far from being able to provide flight at all stages. However, the Chinese talk about the ability of their prototype to move at supersonic speed and maneuver when landing at lower speeds. But there are no details yet.