Forget NGAD Fighters: China Might Soon Have Mach 16 Hypersonic Weapons

Article Summary and Key Points: Chinese scientists have reportedly tested a groundbreaking hypersonic propulsion technology, known as an oblique detonation engine (ODE), capable of reaching unprecedented speeds of Mach 16. Unlike conventional scramjets, ODE engines leverage shock waves for propulsion, potentially delivering combustion rates 1,000 times faster.

Key Point #1 – If verified, this technology could dramatically alter global strategic equations, surpassing current hypersonic capabilities significantly.

Key Point #2 – The United States is rapidly advancing its hypersonic weapons programs, yet Mach 16 technology, if operationalized by China, could reset strategic advantages. While promising, questions remain about China’s capability to translate tunnel-tested engine success into real-world weapons systems.

Mach 16: China’s Hypersonic Breakthrough Could Change Warfare Forever

Chinese scientists have successfully tested a new kind of hypersonic propulsion that can push platforms to the unprecedented speed of Mach 16, according to reports. That speed could change the threat equation and introduce new dimensions of air and space travel. 

The experiments took place in a Chinese shock tunnel, where scientists tested a propulsion technology known as an oblique detonation engine (ODE), reportedly capable of a combustion rate 1,000 times faster than traditional scramjet engines.

The system, as described in an essay by the South China Morning Post, simulates high-Mach flight conditions in altitudes over 25 miles. The report cites research done by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which explains that ODE propulsion is capable of reaching speeds greater than those at which traditional air-breathing scramjets falter. 

“Unlike scramjets, which require bulky combustion chambers and struggle with flame-out risks at high Mach speeds, the ODE harnesses shock waves as allies,” the South China Morning Post explains. 

Existing hypersonics capable of traveling at speeds of Mach 6 or faster are already quickly and intensely changing the threat landscape for the U.S. and its allies.

For many years now, leading U.S. weapons developers have publicly expressed concern that the U.S. may be third in the realm of hypersonics, behind both Russia and China.

However, this gap is closing quickly as the U.S. military services make fast and promising progress with land-, surface-, undersea-, and air-fired hypersonic weapons. 

U.S. Catching China

The U.S. Army’s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), a promising and extremely lethal land-fired hypersonic missile, is quickly approaching operational status.

Using a common glide body similar to the LRHW, the Navy is making progress to develop a first-of-its-kind ship-launched hypersonic weapon it calls Conventional Prompt Strike.

his weapon is anticipated to fire from Zumwalt-class destroyers, and it will be followed by submarine-launched variants of the weapon by 2028.

The Air Force, meanwhile, continues to make rapid progress with several air-launched hypersonic weapons, such as an F-35– and F-22-launched Mako missile. 

These weapons are quickly closing the gap Russia and China have built in the realm of hypersonic projectiles, and the Pentagon is also reportedly making progress toward hypersonic drones, although related projects are still in the early stages. 

However, while it is not clear just how far along China’s latest claimed innovations are, speeds of Mach 16 would clearly advance the weapons attack curve well beyond existing capabilities. Currently emerging hypersonic weapons typically travel at speeds of Mach 6, or slightly greater, but a weapon traveling at Mach 6 would be at a tremendous disadvantage when facing an enemy hypersonic weapons capability that is so much faster.

The principle advantage with hypersonics is self-evident, as it relates purely to speed. Such speedy weapons would strike an enemy target much faster than any defending force could respond with countermeasures or defensive systems. And a new weapon capable of reaching the unprecedented speed of Mach 16 would seem to fully outmatch any existing hypersonic weapon in its ability to hit a target. 

Is Mach 16 Real? 

There are, however, several reasons to hesitate before accepting Chinese claims of such astounding breakthroughs. It is not clear how far along this claimed emerging technology is, nor when or if it might reach operational status.

In addition, tunnel tests are not necessarily indicative of an ability to fly or fire an actual weapon, or even a prototype, at these speeds. There are many unanswered questions. 

Mako Hypersonic Missile. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

The report by the SCMP cites a Chinese scientific journal, which wrote that researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences used RP-3 jet fuel and common commercial kerosene to demonstrate breakthrough hypersonic speeds. 

“The results, published in China’s Journal of Experiments in Fluid Mechanics, suggest combustion rates 1,000 times faster than traditional scramjet engines, with operational capability between Mach 6 and Mach 16 – a speed where conventional air-breathing engines falter,” the SCMP report states. 

Qingtian Hypersonic Cruise Missile. Screenshot.

About the Author: Kris Osborn 

Kris Osborn is the Military Technology Editor of 19FortyFive and President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a highly qualified expert in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.