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China's secret missile reaches Mach 9, withstands extreme heat and threatens world skies

Written by Bruno Teles
Published 20/01/2025 às 15:15
China's secret missile reaches Mach 9, withstands extreme heat and threatens world skies
The missile flies nine times the speed of sound, meaning it is incredibly fast. This drastically reduces the reaction time of any target trying to escape.

Tested in the Mars Mission tunnel, China's secret missile withstood 1.200 °C, reached Mach 9 and is now causing concern among the world's greatest military powers.

A missile capable of hurtling through the sky at nine times the speed of sound? Well, that’s exactly what China’s secret missile appears to be doing. In recent tests, the weapon survived temperatures of more than 1.200 degrees Celsius, a key condition for flying at hypersonic speeds without disintegrating. But what does this mean for aerial warfare and global security?

Military innovation

The race for supremacy in military technologies is not it's something new, but hypersonic missiles have taken this game to another level. While some countries focus on weapons with intercontinental range, the Chinese are investing heavily in an air-to-air missile capable of shooting down aerial targets in a matter of seconds.

These projectiles are known for traveling at speeds in excess of Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound). In the case of China's secret missile, we're talking about Mach 9, which means it can cover enormous distances in the blink of an eye.

To fly so fast, you have to face an absurd amount of heat. Friction with the air at these speeds causes the missile's body to reach temperatures worthy of atmospheric reentry, like those faced by spacecraft returning from Mars. Therefore, specific tests in wind tunnels heated by electric arcs are essential to validate whether the structure can withstand the impact without “melting” halfway there.

The Power of the Mars Mission Tunnel

They developed an advanced aerodynamic design and used materials that can withstand extreme heat. They tested everything in the Mars Mission tunnel, where the missile was exposed to extremely high temperatures and speeds.
They developed an advanced aerodynamic design and used materials that can withstand extreme heat. They tested everything in the Mars Mission tunnel, where the missile was exposed to extremely high temperatures and speeds.

You might ask, “Why is a tunnel used in space missions testing missiles?” The answer lies in the intensity of the simulated conditions. This tunnel generates extremely high temperatures and extreme airflows, which helps to replicate what happens when something tears through the sky at hypersonic speeds.

Imagine a giant electric arc furnace, in which air is heated to thousands of degrees Celsius. This super-hot air is then channeled in a stream directed at the test object. It’s like subjecting the missile to a controlled “lava bath” for a short period of time.

In addition to testing missiles, the tunnel supports broader aerospace research, such as simulating landings on planets with dense, hostile atmospheres. This makes the findings even more valuable, given that China invests in both its military programs and space exploration.

The new missile and its secrets

Os details about the project remain confidential. But the information released indicates that the missile was subjected to extreme conditions, from the nose cone to the tail. Maintaining the integrity of electronic components and guidance systems at such high temperatures is a challenge that few countries can face.

The acronym “Mach 9” is striking, as it represents a considerable improvement over the Mach 5 hypersonic missiles already known. The faster a missile travels, the less time the target has to react. It’s almost like throwing a rock at a window from a speeding car — except here, the “rock” is a lethal device.

A missile of this type can easily shoot down enemy aircraft or even intercept fleeing targets. In addition, technological advances increase geopolitical tensions, as they demonstrate China's ability to develop increasingly sophisticated weapons systems.

Implications for global aviation

If you're a fighter or bomber pilot, you're probably worried. Any modern anti-aircraft warning system can detect a missile launch, but at such high speeds, reaction time is minimal.

Most aircraft cannot reach sustained supersonic speeds. Trying to outrun something moving at nine times the speed of sound seems nearly impossible. The likelihood of escape becomes much lower unless new defensive technologies emerge to “trick” or deflect the missile.

Even state-of-the-art fighter jets equipped with missile warning systems would have only a few seconds to execute evasive maneuvers or launch countermeasures. Pilots are generally trained to react quickly, but we are talking about fractions of a second that can decide life or death in mid-air.

The Future of Air Warfare

With this weapon, China shows that it is willing to invest heavily in military innovations. This puts more pressure on other countries to develop adequate defenses and countermeasures. On the global stage, we can expect an even greater race for technologies that give each nation an advantage on the battlefield.

If you think you've seen it all, get ready. While some are creating hypersonic missiles, others are looking for ways to shield their planes against next-generation threats. It's like an endless game of cat and mouse, with each side always trying to stay one step ahead of the other.

The development of increasingly faster and deadlier weapons may raise concerns about stability and global security. International agencies can discuss arms control treaties, but without cooperation, the trend is toward more and more competition in the air.

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Ezra MNS
Ezra MNS(@edopolisoesdras)
Member
21/01/2025 07:49

These missiles are impossible to intercept, which is the end of the US, I hope.

Christian
Christian
22/01/2025 07:25

Title of the article ****, why would it be a danger to Brazil or the world, we will attack CHINA or create a problem with the Chinese is a problem for those who want to subjugate the Chinese again like 1884.

Fernando
Fernando
22/01/2025 10:35

Everything China says is a lie. Where is the Chinese 5G, which is worse than 4G? It's all nonsense.

Bruno Teles

I talk about technology, innovation, oil and gas. I update daily about opportunities in the Brazilian market. With more than 3.000 articles published in CPG. Agenda suggestion? Send it to brunotelesredator@gmail.com

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