The Feitian-1 project – whose name translates to “flying sky”, was launched from a base in northwest China on Monday. Developed by experts from Northwestern Polytechnical University, the missile is believed to work on a so-called waverider design, creating lift from the shock waves it produced when flying at several times the speed of sound. According to Overdefense.com, the Feitian-1 appears to feature the first operational combined cycle ramjet/kerosene rocket engine capable of smooth transitions between at least four different propulsion configurations. This, it is said, will allow it to operate efficiently in every phase of flight – and means it represents a major breakthrough for Chinese supersonic aircraft. Conventional “air-breathing” jet engines, such as those found in large passenger aircraft, actively draw in and compress oxygen to allow them to burn fuel as they fly — for example, through rotating fan blades. Above three times the speed of sound, however, this becomes unnecessary, as passing the jet or weapon through the air accomplishes this on its own. So-called ramjet and scramjet engines that exploit this principle can achieve levels of fuel efficiency that, by comparison, rockets cannot. Accordingly, the Feitian-1 is lighter than current thrust weapon systems such as the US Air Force’s AGM-183 ARRW, Overdefense.com reports. This will allow the rocket to carry either more fuel, thus increasing its range, or a larger payload. READ MORE: UK funds semiconductor chip research base to become ‘world leader’ It is believed that China’s hypersonic missiles are only experimental at present and not ready for battlefield deployment. China is not the only world power to have developed hypersonic missile capabilities, however, with the US and Russia having their own programs. Earlier this year, Russia premiered its so-called “Kinzhal” missiles on the international stage when it used them to destroy both an underground ammunition depot and a fuel depot at the start of its invasion of Ukraine. According to the Arms Control Association, the US is unlikely to have a similar system ready until next year at the earliest.
