China is currently building a supersonic aircraft capable of transporting a limited number of people anywhere in the world in just one hour. The aircraft is expected to have a speed of around 19,000 kilometers per hour and can accommodate only 10 people, as reported by the British newspaper "Daily Mail" on Sunday.
The 45-meter-long plane will be able to exceed the speed of sound by five times, thanks to its complex design. The preliminary design of the aircraft was unveiled through a study conducted by Chinese aerospace scientists who participated in extraterrestrial missions to Mars and the Moon, published in the journal "Propulsion Technology."
The design of the new Chinese aircraft is based on the Boeing Manta X-47C, which was abandoned by NASA in 2000 due to its high costs. Engineer Ming Han Tang, who previously worked at NASA, contributed to the aircraft's design. The plane will feature articulated engines without moving parts on either side.
Although the prototype may not reach production soon, it is significant for providing important guidelines for the development of both the aircraft and the supersonic engines. China aims to produce a fleet of these aircraft by the end of 2035 and plans to expand some models to carry 100 passengers by 2045.
