Recently, the South China Morning Post reported that China is testing a hypersonic air-to-air missile. This weapon can withstand temperatures of 1,200 degrees Celsius at a speed of 9 Mach. This is not something from a science fiction novel, but rather a real military advancement. Let's first talk about the background. Hypersonic weapons have become a hot topic in the arms race among countries in recent years because of their speed and difficulty in defense. Basically, anything above 5 Mach is considered hypersonic. China did not start late in this field; it has been investing since the 2010s and now some models have been exposed.
The South China Morning Post report mentioned that this test used wind tunnel equipment from the Mars exploration project. This wind tunnel was originally designed for space missions and can simulate extreme environments. The missile was subjected to high-speed airflow and reached temperatures of 1,200 degrees Celsius, which corresponds to the heat generated when flying at 9 Mach. Why is it so hot? Because the missile is moving so fast that air friction generates heat, and the materials must withstand it or else it would burn out. The report said the test was successful, with no issues with the missile structure and normal operation of the electronic systems. This means China has taken a big step forward in hypersonic air-to-air missiles. Previously, most were ground-to-ground or anti-ship, but now they are catching up in air-to-air.
Hypersonic air-to-air missiles differ the most from traditional missiles in terms of speed and trajectory. Traditional air-to-air missiles like the AIM-120 or PL-15 have speeds of up to 4-5 Mach, with ranges of hundreds of kilometers, and their terminal speed drops quickly. Hypersonic missiles can maintain high speed throughout the flight, using a trajectory that dives from the edge of the atmosphere to strike the target. At 9 Mach, it is nine times the speed of sound, approximately 10,000 kilometers per hour, making it almost impossible for the target aircraft to react. The South China Morning Post reported that the leading edge of this missile reaches 1,200 degrees Celsius, requiring special materials and cooling technology, such as ceramic composites or liquid cooling systems. The test simulated this in a wind tunnel, where an electric arc heater created a plasma environment, and the missile model was tested in it to check aerodynamic shape and thermal protection. Why use a Mars wind tunnel? Because Mars exploration requires simulating the thermal environment during atmospheric re-entry, with similar temperature and speed, making it suitable for reuse. The report did not mention the specific model, but it is estimated to be related to the PL series, possibly called PL-XX. Internationally, the US is working on the AIM-260, but its speed is not as high, while Russia's R-37M is 6 Mach. China's progress here is quite advanced.
The biggest problem with hypersonic flight is black-out. When the speed exceeds 5 Mach, the air becomes ionized into plasma, surrounding the missile and blocking radar signals, causing the guidance system to fail. Traditional missiles avoid this issue because of their lower speed. According to the South China Morning Post, this test reportedly solved the black-out issue, possibly by using new antennas or optical guidance. The range has also significantly increased. Traditional air-to-air missiles operate at heights of 20-25 kilometers, while this one can reach 60-70 kilometers, with a possible range of thousands of kilometers. For example, a recent report stated that a Chinese missile hit a target traveling at 1.5 Mach from 500 kilometers away, with a maneuvering overload of 15G, which is very powerful. Why is the range so large? Because at high altitudes, the air is thin, resulting in less resistance, allowing the missile to glide farther. Air forces using this could destroy enemy early warning aircraft or stealth aircraft, such as the B-2 or B-21, whose stealth design mainly focuses on the front and sides, but the top is weaker. A high-altitude dive would strike the weak point. The source of the South China Morning Post report is military experts and satellite images, and the wind tunnel is located in Luoyang, Henan, belonging to the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center.
Test details, according to the South China Morning Post, the missile used a diving trajectory at a speed of 9 Mach, with a thermal environment of 1,200 degrees Celsius. The wind tunnel simulated aerodynamic heating to verify the structure and electronics. The team recorded temperature distribution data and adjusted the design. After the success, the missile will go into production and is expected to be equipped on the J-20 or sixth-generation fighters. In the future, it may be deployed in combat after 2025, enhancing the air force's long-range strike capabilities. Internationally, the US think tank analyzed that this changes the balance in the air, with the Chinese air force shifting from defense to offense.
The significance of hypersonic air-to-air missiles goes beyond the military, bringing technological spillover effects. Advances in materials science can be applied to high-speed rail or aircraft. Cooling technology helps engine design. Globally, these weapons are hard to defend against, potentially pushing for new treaties. However, China emphasizes defensive development, aligning with national conditions.
Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7549840583594885667/
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