China has revealed that its hypersonic jet reached a speed of Mach 6.5 — about 5,033 miles per hour

 

 

China has revealed that its hypersonic jet reached a speed of Mach 6.5 — about 5,033 miles per hour:

 

Authorities say the event took place during a secretive test flight in 2021.

The jumbo-jet-sized design, developed by the team led by researcher Cui Kai at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, challenges traditional sleek hypersonic models with its bulkier structure, offering greater internal space for passengers and cargo.

 

If successful, the technology could cut flight times between Beijing and New York to just two hours—down from over 13 hours on today’s commercial flights.

 

The test flight, conducted at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China’s Gobi Desert, lasted 20 minutes and showcased significant advancements in hypersonic flight technology. While hurdles remain, such as materials, structure, and power systems, this milestone highlights China’s growing push to develop ultra-fast civilian aircraft. 

 

With further funding from China’s National Natural Science Foundation, the team aims to unlock a new era of air travel, revolutionizing global transportation with speeds once thought impossible for passenger planes.