I wonder if a hypersonic vehicle has actually been tested in flight for multiple hours between Mach 5 and Mach 20, or if we’re getting a lost in translation here and actually what was said was that the material could be used in hypersonic flight from Mach 5 to Mach 20 that go for multiple hours.
Chinese Hypersonic Developments (HGVs/HCMs)
- Thread starter A.Man
- Start date
Quickie
Colonel
Woman scientists making a breakthrough in scientific work tend to happen more often in China than in other countries (or maybe most other countries as I haven't really checked on it). Why shouldn't this be applauded? It shows that women in China have equal opportunities in all endeavors unlike that in some other countries.
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I'm pretty sure no such test happened, the breakthrough is in materials science - an enabler for such a vehicle in the future. Think about the distance covered by a vehicle travelling for just two hours (i.e. the minimum considered "multiple") at 'only' Mach 5. China is a big place, but hardly big enough (we're talking at least one lap of the entire country)! Somebody would have noticed.
That and the lack of any evidence that they’ve figured out sustained propulsion is why I was extremely skeptical.
Skywatcher
Captain
The materiel could be replaced to the Tengyun (sp) two stage spaceplane.
I've read an article talking about test methods of ballistic missile and hypersonic vehicle which including letting it running in cycles in a relatively small area to cover a long flight distance and at the same time testing its maneuver capability.
I don't think we should blame the TV reporter for "not knowing what he is talking about", nor should we be sceptical of the content of the TV program, because none of us has watched that program in person. All we know is some watcher retelling "can fly multiple hours". "Can fly" is not "has flew". Even the re-teller is not making any exaggerated claim.
P.S. the scientist is a specialist in Metallurgy.
I am sure the fact reviewed by the TV program is that "the material she developed can sustain the heat generated by Hypersonic flight (Mach 5 to 20) for multiple hours." The program did not say anything beyond that. I don't even think that the program is allowed to say anything related to a real HPV test before HPV is long operational.
P.S. the scientist is a specialist in Metallurgy.
I am sure the fact reviewed by the TV program is that "the material she developed can sustain the heat generated by Hypersonic flight (Mach 5 to 20) for multiple hours." The program did not say anything beyond that. I don't even think that the program is allowed to say anything related to a real HPV test before HPV is long operational.
Here is an article related to the TV program. It has much more details without revealing any secret.
The article talked about three achievements from her. The first one being the material for hypersonic vehicle and rocket engine. The other two are related to components for nuclear fusion program.
Summary:
Point 8 worth some note, there is small damage to the ceramic layer albeit very small. For a one time usage like missile it is not an issue, if the future hypersonic vehicle is to be reusable some method of re-growing the ceramic layer (refurbishing) on an used skin need to be developed.
Point 4 is interesting with question marks. It could be significant that a future shuttle like orbiter being made truly reusable.
The article talked about three achievements from her. The first one being the material for hypersonic vehicle and rocket engine. The other two are related to components for nuclear fusion program.
Summary:
- It is a metal based light weight material. Its surface is ceramic.
- The ceramic layer is grown from the metal base on Nano meter scale, and in gradient (property and structure changes from base to the surface).
- The metal base has Molybdenum composition. (Naturally, it is a high temperature metal).
- 抗拉强度(Tensile strength, ultimate or yeild?) at 1600C is greater than 250MPa. 3~5 times of current known material. (Meaning a Space Shuttle without troublesome heat-ablation tiles?)
- It is in lead position of the world. (That is a very strong statement rarely used).
- It has long lasting counter-oxidization, counter-ablation(?抗烧蚀). The long lasting is probably the source of "multiple hours".
- It has been tested in wind tunnel (for hypersonic vehicle?) and rocket engine.
- After the test, there is no damage to the metal base, there is almost no damage to the ceramic surface.
- It has been used on solid rocket engines for various AA and AG missiles. The engine nozzle made of this material has been production certified. It has been used on new generation fighter aircraft (J-20?) and new type of AG missile.
- It guaranteed key high temperature material for the hypersonic vehicle development. (This is direct confirmation that the material is to be used as the skin of the vehicle).
- The work was already acknowledged in 2014 by XX centre as "key contribution, key breakthrough".
- The work has been awarded in 2012.
Point 8 worth some note, there is small damage to the ceramic layer albeit very small. For a one time usage like missile it is not an issue, if the future hypersonic vehicle is to be reusable some method of re-growing the ceramic layer (refurbishing) on an used skin need to be developed.
Point 4 is interesting with question marks. It could be significant that a future shuttle like orbiter being made truly reusable.
Skywatcher
Captain
So what was the flight speed?