China Tests World’s First Jet Fuel-Powered Engine To Hit 16 Mach

The Chinese scientific community made a major hypersonic flight advancement when they tested an oblique detonation engine (ODE) that reached speeds up to Mach 16. The JF-12 shock tunnel in Beijing, operated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), served as the testing ground for this innovative RP-3 aviation kerosene-powered engine.

The ODE engine operates differently from scramjet engines since it uses shock waves to boost combustion efficiency, while traditional scramjets face flame-out risks at high speeds. A 5mm wall bump served scientists to initiate shock wave explosions, which accelerated combustion by 1000 times compared to regular scramjets. The engine operates between Mach 6 and Mach 16, which corresponds to flight speeds of 12,276 miles per hour (19,756 km/h).

The testing period allowed controlled Mach 9 flight for 492 feet (150 meters), but power limitations restricted continuous operation to only 50 milliseconds. Scientists solved RP-3 fuel ignition delays by compressing it to reach 6,380°F (3,527°C). The fuel dispersion improved through the implementation of wing-shaped struts, which increased the efficiency at high speeds.

The ODE showcases an exceptional compact design because its combustor section remains 85% shorter than typical scramjets. The smaller size of this aircraft design would reduce its weight and increase the flight range, which advances the feasibility of hypersonic travel. China plans to create a hypersonic aircraft system that can maintain Mach 16 speeds until 2030 for both military and commercial use.

China continues to advance its hypersonic capabilities at a fast pace, which solidifies its position in the worldwide hypersonic competition against the United States and Russia. The Journal of Experiments in Fluid Mechanics published research findings that represent a major advancement in aerospace technology development.