China has made a stunning leap in aviation, successfully testing a hypersonic jumbo jet prototype that hit Mach 6.56—over 5,000 miles per hour. This breakthrough, revealed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, signals a potential revolution in global air travel.
Breaking Speed Records
The prototype’s 20-minute test flight, conducted in August 2021 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, achieved speeds six times faster than sound. If commercialized, this technology could slash a 13-hour Beijing-to-New York flight to just two hours.
Rethinking Aircraft Design
Unlike traditional hypersonic vehicles designed for military use, this jet features a bulkier body to accommodate passengers and cargo, challenging conventional norms in hypersonic aviation.
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