China tests hypersonic drone MD‑19 for space-edge flights

China continues to develop hypersonic weapons. A recording of the MD-19 hypersonic vehicle test appeared on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. This design offers exceptional capabilities.

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

Detailed technical data on the MD-19 are not yet available. However, visible details suggest that a rocket engine was likely used for propulsion instead of the more common ramjet typically found in hypersonic vehicles.

The hypersonic drone is expected to be based on the larger model MD-22, which is about 36 feet in length with a wingspan of about 15 feet and an estimated takeoff weight of 8,800 pounds. The MD-19 is clearly smaller, with an estimated length of 11 feet, as indicated by footage of its takeoff under the Tengden TB-001 drone.

What sets the MD-19 apart from similar designs is its ability to fly at hypersonic speeds while also decelerating for a controlled landing, much like a regular airplane.

This allows the equipment to be used multiple times. Moreover, the MD-19 does not require extensive infrastructure for takeoff, as it is launched into the air by other drones, which increases its operational flexibility.

The MD-19 is intended for flights on the edge of space. Although it was not designed as a space object, it is meant to fly near the edge of the atmosphere, close to the Kármán line.

Its specific purpose has not yet been disclosed, but its capabilities align with the trend observed during the presentation of the concept for China's sixth-generation multi-role aircraft. The futuristic design, called White Emperor, is expected to operate in both Earth's atmosphere and beyond.