China tests its first multi-mode engine hypersonic missile

Asia-Pacific, News July 21, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

China has tested one of its most advanced and latest multi-mode engine hypersonic missile named Feitian-1 in northwest China.

The missile uses a Rocket-Based Combined Cycle (RBCC) technology to attain hypersonic speeds in a horizontal flight. The RBCC engine of Feitian-1 is a multi-mode engine that is a combination of an air-breathing ramjet engine, air-breathing scramjet engine, and ducted rocket system. All three of the missile’s rocket systems are ignited one after another, allowing the projectile to attain hypersonic speeds. Due to the multi-mode engine technology, the rocket can also attain higher speeds at higher altitudes.

The Feitian-1 hypersonic missile has been developed by a team of engineers at the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Northwestern Polytechnical University of China.

According to the representatives of the Northwest Polytechnical University, the test went successfully and smoothly as the multi-mode engine of the missile switched successfully from one mode to the other, allowing the missile to reach hypersonic speeds and higher altitudes.

One of the main advantages of the multi-mode engine setup is that it does not require a separate oxidizer setup for pure rocket propulsion. The system extracts oxygen from the surrounding air, similar to a conventional rocket propulsion system. This allows the rocket to carry more payload with more fuel, increasing its flight range and payload capacity. Feitian-1 uses conventional kerosene-based aviation fuel.

*^{China’s Feitian-1 hypersonic test vehicle. (Image Credit: School of Aeronautics and Astronautics of Northwestern Polytechnical University)}*

From launch to payload delivery, the missile goes through three different stages. In the first stage of the launch, an ejector rocket is used to propel the missile to the appropriate altitude. After reaching an appropriate height, the ramjet and then the scramjet engines are ignited one by one, allowing the missile to cover horizontal distances at hypersonic speeds. In the third and final stage of its propulsion, a conventional rocket system pushes the missile back up to a higher altitude before delivering the payload.

China is among the top three countries advancing rapidly in hypersonic missile technology and is one of the few countries to have an arsenal of active hypersonic missiles.

Although China has not released official data that shows the total number of its hypersonic capable missiles to provide a complete picture of China’s hypersonic missiles program, it is safe to assume that the country has the most hypersonic weapons compared to any of its immediate competitors such as the U.S. and Russia.

China’s Dongfeng missile series is its premier hypersonic missile system. DF-26 is China’s most prominent hypersonic missile that can also carry nuclear warheads. Apart from China, Russia also has an arsenal of hypersonic missiles. Russia has also used its surface-to-surface hypersonic missiles in the active battle zone of Ukraine, making it the first country to do so.

China's DF-17 during October 1 parade in Beijing. DF-17 has a hypersonic glide vehicle that can deliver both nuclear and conventional payloads — *^{China’s DF-17 during October 1 parade in Beijing. DF-17 has a hypersonic glide vehicle that can deliver both nuclear and conventional payloads. (Image Credit: PLA)}*

The U.S. is currently lagging behind China and Russia in the race of developing hypersonic weapons, however, the U.S. defense manufacturers are carrying out frequent tests of their own hypersonic weapons programs.