Every nation increases its military preparedness for the bigger risks that lie ahead as wars continue to break out all over the planet.
 
To keep a military edge in a world where national security is becoming more unstable, every nation is equipping itself with cutting-edge weapons and sophisticated fighting capabilities. china has successfully demonstrated a test flight of its Feitian-2 hypersonic vehicle in northwest china, which could be a major breakthrough for hypersonic technology. The vehicle was able to switch between different propulsion modalities while in flight, which is a major obstacle in the development of hypersonic vehicles in the future.

Who developed the Feitian-2 hypersonic vehicle?
According to the Economic Times, Northwestern Polytechnical university (NPU) and the Shaanxi Province Aerospace and Astronautics Propulsion Research Institute collaborated to build the Feitian-2 hypersonic vehicle.  The flight displays valuable data for numerous physical understandings rich in applications relating to Rocket-Based Combined cycle (RBCC) engine technology and is commensurate with the improvements made by Feitian-1 when it successfully flew in July 2022. Performance metrics from the flight provide a practical physical foundation for further engineering studies on high-speed propulsion and aerodynamics.

Top features of Feitian-2 that make it stand out! How atmospheric oxygen helps Feitian-2
Feitian-2's Rocket-Based Combined cycle (RBCC) engine, which runs on a mixture of kerosene and hydrogen peroxide, is its most notable feature.  The Feitian-2 craft uses atmospheric oxygen for parts of the flight, in contrast to conventional hypersonic vehicles that run on cryogenic fuels like liquid oxygen.  Utilizing atmospheric oxygen improves fuel efficiency by lowering the need for onboard oxidizers.

Feitian-2 different modes
The Feitian-2 flight experiment demonstrated a smooth transition between the initial ejector mode, which uses rockets to create thrust for takeoff, and the ramjet mode, which uses air-breathing propulsion.  This seamless mode transition will serve as a crucial standard for long-duration hypersonic travel.  Additionally, the engine demonstrated its variable-geometry intake capability, which allowed for real-time, autonomous flow regulation.  With real-time airflow management, performance can be enhanced with altitude and speed.  With complex flight profiles, this key dynamic element increases system efficiency and engine reliability.  

How are Feitian-1 and Feitian-2 different?
In contrast to Feitian-1, Feitian-2 features a number of additions.  Its redesigned wings, directly in front of the rocket's nose and wider tail fins, increase mobility and stability during high-speed, high-altitude flight.  All things considered, the improvements will enable improved aerodynamic control and more precise flight in harsher circumstances.
 
The ability of Feitian-2 to fly on its own was also confirmed by this test.  During flight, it was able to change its angle of attack according to the mission's requirements and the surrounding circumstances.  Future unmanned hypersonic systems for both military and scientific objectives will greatly benefit from this capability.

Instead of using the conventional cryogenic fuels, Feitian-2 is fueled by a kerosene-hydrogen peroxide mixture.  Even while kerosene has less energy than liquid hydrogen, it is considerably easier to handle and store, which eliminates the need for bulky cooling systems and allows for a simpler vehicle construction.  On the other hand, Feitian-1 had already shown that kerosene could be used in hypersonic engines.  Additionally, Feitian-2 uses hydrogen peroxide, a liquid oxidizer, to provide stable thrust while reducing the vehicle's overall weight.  Future hypersonic vehicle design and operation may consider this fuel combination.

Tough Competition to the USA and Russia
The united states is probably concerned about China's recent developments in hypersonic technology.  Russia and the united states have been working on combined-cycle engines for years, but their efforts have not yielded much progress.  According to the Feitian-2 tests, china is making great strides in obtaining accurate and useful data for the design of hypersonic engines. They are also making progress in a challenging field that may present actual difficulties.

By showcasing its capacity to transition between propulsion modes while in flight and with an autonomous control structure while actively managing airflow, the Feitian-2 test flight has propelled china to a competitive position in the global competition for hypersonic technology. Fast transit and civilian rapid response systems are two possible applications for these advancements outside of the military.





 

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