China is reportedly developing a new generation of hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) that employ a “skipping stone” trajectory, allowing them to dive into and leap out of the atmosphere at speeds exceeding Mach 15. This technology has been facilitated by a new solid-fuel booster engineered for multiple ignitions.
The updated skipping stone trajectory greatly enhances the missile’s range, boosting it by more than one-third. This improvement transforms the operational scope of hypersonic gliders from regional conflicts to global missions.
China’s research team has outlined the advantages of this new generation of hypersonic weapons in a recent paper published in the Chinese Journal of Astronautics. The key benefits include extended range, high maneuverability, and unpredictability – all features that make these weapons formidable and adaptable in modern warfare.
The concept of hypersonic glide vehicles is deeply rooted in historical proposals. In the late 1940s, Qian Xuesen envisioned hypersonic gliders carried by rockets that would glide back to Earth powered only by aerodynamic lift. This concept forms the basis for modern Chinese hypersonic glide weapons like DF-17 missiles.
Another historical figure, Eugen Sänger, proposed the Silbervogel (silver bird), which has a trajectory that resembles the skipping stone flight path. Despite its initial theoretical nature, Sänger’s design has significantly influenced contemporary advancements in hypersonic technology.
China’s new aircraft design features a slender body with integrated wings and has been tested through numerical simulations and wind tunnel experiments. By repeatedly leaping above the atmosphere, the aircraft is projected to reach speeds up to Mach 20 and maintain Mach 17 for more than half an hour.
This design also enjoys decreased atmospheric friction and a 50% reduction in maximum heat flux compared to unpowered gliders, thereby alleviating the demands placed on the thermal protection system.
Source: https://www.eurasiantimes.com/chinas-new-hypersonic-gliders-can-power-jump/amp/