China’s new hypersonic drone could be similar to the US SR-71 “Blackbird.” (Internet photo)
Reports that China could be developing a new hypersonic aircraft could be Xi Jinping’s “big present” to Barack Obama during the Chinese president’s first full state visit to the United States this week, says Duowei News, a US-based Chinese political news outlet.
On Friday, a report surfaced claiming that the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) had completed a successful test flight of an unspecified new aircraft, adding that it was a breakthrough in hypersonic aircraft technology.
The report was deleted shortly after, fueling speculation that China could be developing its own version of America’s SR-71 Blackbird, a long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft
A Chinese military expert who uses the online handle KKTT believes that AVIC is developing a new high-altitude, hypersonic unmanned aerial vehicle requiring a carrier aircraft such as an H-6 twin-engine bomber. The drone will be launched once it is carried to a high enough altitude and will climb by itself to cruising altitude before traveling at hypersonic speed, KKTT said, adding that the drone will be able to return to base itself.
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News of the secret drone comes amid suggestions that the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute is also developing two high-altitude, high-speed UAVs. Leaked satellite photos revealed that one of them is about 10m long with a winspan [sic] of around 6m. Though the size is similar to that of the D-21, the external appearance is said to be closer to the America’s retired X-15 hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft.
Full article: News of hypersonic drone could be Xi’s ‘gift’ to Obama: Duowei (Want China Times)
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