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Chinese Military Scientists Unveil Hypersonic Missile That Morphs Its Shape at Mach 5

  • MM24 News Desk
  • Nov 4
  • 2 min read

Updated: Nov 7


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A research team from the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT) has revealed a prototype hypersonic missile featuring groundbreaking retractable wings, allowing it to dynamically change its shape during flight at speeds exceeding Mach 5. Led by Professor Wang Peng from the College of Aerospace Science and Engineering, the design minimizes drag for high-speed cruising and extends wings for superior maneuverability, solving a core control challenge that has long plagued hypersonic vehicle development.


For years, the prevailing wisdom was that the faster a vehicle flies, the harder it is to steer. Hypersonic missiles were thought to sacrifice agility for sheer velocity. Now, the Chinese team appears to have shattered that paradigm with a morphing vehicle capable of fine-tuning its aerodynamic profile in real-time, a capability long considered the holy grail of high-speed flight. How did they conquer the extreme physics that make controlling a shape-shifting vehicle at Mach 5 so difficult?




The immense challenge, according to the research published in Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, lies in the brutal flight environment. At these speeds, surface temperatures can soar beyond 2,000 degrees Celsius (3,632 Fahrenheit), inducing extreme physical changes. Introducing moving parts like wings multiplies the complexity exponentially, generating massive uncertainty in aerodynamic models. The on-board computer must calculate stable control commands in real-time but operates with limited power and processing capacity compared to ground-based systems, reported the South China Morning Post (SCMP).



“High-speed morphing vehicles represent a cutting-edge direction in next-generation aerospace platforms,” the authors wrote in the paper, which was published on October 20. “By dynamically adjusting their structure during flight to adapt to varying aerodynamic conditions, these vehicles demonstrate exceptional adaptability across wide speed and altitude ranges, offering significant potential for multi-role missions and enhanced penetration capabilities.”


Professor Wang’s team has developed a revolutionary control algorithm that integrates advanced techniques to achieve high precision while drastically reducing the computational load. The system’s key innovation is its ability to suppress destructive high-frequency vibrations known as “control chattering,” a phenomenon that can destabilize and damage the vehicle. This isn't just a theoretical exercise; the team confirmed that the novel algorithms and key components have successfully passed rigorous hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) ground tests. This critical milestone signals the technology is viable for real-world deployment, stated SCMP.



In these tests, the system achieved remarkably smooth actuator responses and attitude tracking errors of under 1 degree, performance that validates its readiness for actual flight applications. This technological leap provides a rare window into a capability that was once the subject of intense global speculation. During a massive military parade, China showcased the Changjian-1000 (CJ-1000) hypersonic cruise missile, a weapon rumored to be capable of engaging highly mobile targets like aircraft carriers. However, it was displayed sealed in a canister, revealing no technical details.


Beyond its immediate military implications, this morphing technology holds transformative potential for civil aviation. It could pave the way for intercontinental passenger flights that take just an hour or two and enable more efficient, reusable space access vehicles. While the published prototype photo reveals visible gaps around the extended wings—raising valid questions about thermal sealing and structural integrity under extreme heat—the demonstration that a morphing hypersonic vehicle

can be reliably controlled marks a monumental step forward in aerospace engineering.




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