China conducted the first test flight of a turbofan engine designed for its supersonic commercial aircraft on December 17, which could take passengers from Beijing to New York in just two hours, SCMP reported.
The engine is called Jindouyun or JinDou400, named after the "Somersault Cloud" that Sun Wukong used in the classic novel Journey to the West.
The "Somersault Cloud" engine used for China's supersonic passenger plane. (Photo: SCMP)
Lingkong Tianxing Technology, the company that developed the engine, said the "Somersault Cloud" uses explosive combustion technology and has a compact, modular design. During the test flight, the engine reached a speed of 5,000 km/h, equivalent to Mach 4 (four times the speed of sound), at an altitude of more than 20,000 meters.
"The engine has significant commercial potential in the field of high-speed flight in near-space environments," the Beijing-based company said in a statement.
Unlike traditional rocket or jet engines, ramjet engines generate thrust by using the shock wave from explosive combustion to compress the intake air, eliminating the need for compressors and turbine components. This simplifies the structure, improves the thrust-to-weight ratio, and reduces cost.
Despite its compact size - less than 30 cm in diameter and less than 3 m in length - the "Somersault Cloud" provides an impressive thrust of about 400 kg.
“This test flight provided important engine performance data, validating core systems including fuel supply, electrical and control systems,” said Lingkong Tianxing.
The test also demonstrated the engine's stability and reliability, marking an important milestone in the development from prototype to finished product."
The "Somersault Cloud" engine uses ramjet technology and completed its test flight on December 17. (Photo: SCMP)
The successful test flight is an important step in the development of Lingkong Tianxing's Yunxing supersonic passenger aircraft.
A prototype of the aircraft completed a test flight in late October, evaluating key technologies including aerodynamics, heat resistance and control systems.
The company aims to have a complete supersonic passenger aircraft by 2027, with the first commercial flight for high-speed transport expected in 2030.
On December 9, Lingkong Tianxing released a video announcing the completion of key ground tests and revealing some design details.
The video shows the engine’s modular structure, which is supported by 3D printing technology, allowing for faster and more adaptable assembly. The company also says it has balanced performance requirements with cost as it moves to mass production.
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/nguoi-trung-quoc-tao-ra-can-dau-van-san-xuat-may-bay-sieu-thanh-cho-khach-ar914465.html
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