China's hypersonic drone MD‑19 pushes boundaries of space flight

China continues its development of hypersonic weapons—a video documenting the test of the new hypersonic vehicle MD-19 has appeared on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. This design offers extraordinary capabilities.

The tests were conducted using two platforms. In the first instance, the MD-19 was launched from under the fuselage of the larger drone Tengden TB-001. The second test utilised a stratospheric aerostat as a carrier.

Detailed technical data about the MD-19 are not yet known, although visible details suggest that a rocket engine was probably used as its power source, instead of a jet engine—which is typically popular in hypersonic vehicles.

The hypersonic drone is based on the larger model MD-22, which is about 36 feet long and has a wingspan of about 15 feet, with a take-off mass estimated at four tonnes. The MD-19 is noticeably smaller—its length is estimated to be 11 feet, as indicated by the footage of it being launched from under the Tengden TB-001 drone.

What distinguishes the MD-19 from similar designs is its ability to fly at hypersonic speed and then decelerate, providing the unique possibility of a controlled landing in a manner similar to a regular aeroplane.

This feature allows for multiple uses, and in combination with the fact that the MD-19 does not require extensive infrastructure for take-off (as it is air-launched by other drones), it increases the flexibility of its deployment.

The MD-19 is designed to perform flights at the edge of space. Although it was not conceived as a space object, it is capable of flying at the edge of the atmosphere, near the Kármán line.

Its specific purpose remains unspecified, but its capabilities align with trends highlighted during the presentation of the Chinese 6th generation multirole fighter jet concept. A futuristic design called White Emperor is expected to be capable of flights both within Earth's atmosphere and beyond.