A Chinese startup aims to complete the development of a supersonic UAV in the near future, capable of reaching speeds four times faster than the speed of sound. The company behind the project, Lingkong Tianxing Technology, unveiled the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) named Cuantianhou, or “The Floating Stone Monkey,” during a press conference in Chengdu, the capital of the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan.
The development of the model marks a significant step in adapting military hypersonic technologies for commercial use. The Cuantianhou project is part of the company’s broader ambitions to create a supersonic passenger aircraft, according to Chinese online publications.
The first test flight of the UAV is scheduled for next year, indicating China’s growing progress in hypersonic technologies and their potential civilian applications. In October 2024, Lingkong Tianxing tested a commercial aircraft prototype capable of nearly doubling the supersonic speed of the Concorde. The company’s supersonic drone is capable of reaching a speed of 4.2 Mach at an altitude of 20 km, more than twice the speed of the Concorde.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) weighs 1.5 tons and has a length of 7 meters, powered by two detonation engines. Its first flight is scheduled for next year.
Supersonic technology, traditionally a military asset, is now being adapted for commercial use. Several international startups, including those in the US and Switzerland, are exploring similar advancements.
American companies are working on aircraft capable of reaching speeds of 5 Mach, while Swiss developers are focusing on projects that operate on water. Despite these efforts, no viable commercial product has been realized, and some projects have faced significant delays, reports SCMP.
The Chinese UAV and related projects signal growing competition in the field of hypersonic innovations, reflecting broader efforts to bridge military and civilian applications.
Lingkong Tianxing is accelerating its research and development in the field of supersonic aircraft. In October, the company successfully completed test flights of its supersonic aircraft Yunxing, evaluating key technologies such as aerodynamics, thermal resistance, and control systems. Initially planned for a full prototype flight in 2027, the timeline for the Yunxing UAV has been moved up to 2026 due to significant progress.
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The UAV from Cuantianhou features optimized aerodynamics compared to Yunxing, with no front tether and a more efficient angle of attack. According to SCMP, recent tests have showcased the UAV’s capabilities, including ascending to an altitude of 10 km at speeds ranging from 3.3 to 4.1 Mach and a dynamic pressure range of 39 to 114 kPa. The UAV demonstrated impressive fuel efficiency, consuming only 6 kg of fuel to cover a distance of 50 km.
Lingkong Tianxing has also unveiled its next-generation detonation engine, the Jindou-400S, an upgraded version of its predecessor. The new engine features multiple ignition capabilities, weighs 100 kg less than its 300 kg predecessor, and produces 4,000 newtons of thrust, an improvement over the previous 2,500 newtons. With a reduced length of 1.9 meters, the engine supports speeds of up to 4.2 Mach while improving the power-to-weight ratio and thrust.
The rapid iteration of the UAV series is driven by extensive testing, including 88 test flights over six years, and the use of advanced supercomputer simulations. The company’s proprietary 3D printing technology has further enhanced the design of the airframe, according to SCMP.
Source: Interestingengineering
