The engine tested on December 29 is very special and is believed to be a pulse detonation engine. The speed of the aircraft is extremely fast, and its appearance differs significantly from the previous two models. This marks the beginning of verification for the pulse detonation engine.
Background on Pulse Detonation Engines
The concept of the pulse detonation engine has been around for over 20 years, with China, the United States, and Russia actively working on its development. China is currently in a leading position in this field. Detonation engines can be divided into three types based on their implementation methods:
- Pulse Detonation Engines (PDE)
- Rotating Detonation Engines (RDE)
- Oblique Detonation Engines (ODE)
Development Efforts by the United States
The U.S. has made notable progress in detonation engines:
- In 2003, Pratt & Whitney and Boeing developed the ITR-2 PDE verification prototype.
- On January 31, 2008, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) conducted the first PDE flight test at Mojave Airport.
- In 2010, the University of Texas at Arlington developed a single-tube rotary valve PDE using kerosene and air.
- In May 2020, the University of Central Florida and AFRL built a laboratory model producing 200 lbf of thrust.
- On May 17, 2021, engineers at the University of Central Florida began developing an ODE.
China’s Leading Achievements
China’s advancements include contributions from institutions such as Northwestern Polytechnical University and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics:
- In 2002, Northwestern Polytechnical University completed tests for two-phase PDE combustion with a maximum frequency of 200 Hz.
- On March 6, 2017, Jiang Zonglin’s team demonstrated a rotating detonation engine prototype at an international conference.
- In March 2019, Chongqing Thrust-to-Weight Ratio Power Technology Co., Ltd. tested a multi-tube parallel PDE.
- On December 11, 2020, Jiang’s team successfully tested a hydrogen-fueled ODE achieving theoretical speeds above Mach 16.
- In May 2022, the Qinghang No. 1 rotating detonation ramjet engine completed its first international flight test.
- On July 30, 2022, the H1-M rotating detonation engine completed a 100-meter taxi test.
Key Takeaway: Qinghang No. 3
On December 28, 2022, the new engine, likely Qinghang No. 3, underwent testing. This successor to Qinghang No. 1 demonstrates China’s continuous progress in detonation engine technology. Its performance highlights the potential for new breakthroughs in high-speed propulsion systems.