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💥 Forget jets and propellers. Rotary detonations power China’s new drone

💥 Forget jets and propellers. Rotary detonations power China’s new drone

Forget conventional propulsion technologies, China is pioneering detonation-powered flight. In a secretive test, they allegedly flew and landed a drone powered by a rotating detonation engine (RDE). While details are scant, this rumored achievement could blaze a new path to hypersonic drones and aircraft. 

If the reports are true, China has made a bold stride into the vanguard of detonation propulsion, further underscoring its aviation ambitions. However, formidable technical barriers remain before this novel approach becomes viable.  

Find out what we know so far in today’s Must Read.

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Must Read

China has allegedly achieved a major breakthrough in drone technology by successfully test-flying an unmanned aerial vehicle powered by a rotating detonation engine (RDE). RDEs use continuous detonations in a circular channel to generate hypersonic speeds from zero velocity.

Details remain scarce, but reports claim the 5-meter drone flew with a kerosene-fueled RDE that can rapidly accelerate to multiples of the speed of sound. RDEs could overcome limitations of traditional jet engines and ramjets at high speeds. However, stability issues and intense shockwaves pose hurdles to viability.

If the reports are true, RDE-powered drones could have applications in space rockets, military aircraft, and high-speed drones. Click below to learn about what we know so far.

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“It uses kerosene fuel and features rapid ignition, and could power an aircraft from zero-speed to several times the speed of sound.” 

Chongqing Morning News report

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