What we know about China's plans for a new supersonic jet that can fly 50% further than Concorde
China has entered the race to usher in a new golden age of supersonic air travel with plans to build an airliner that will rival the Concorde, according to local media.
As per reporting by the South China Morning Post, China's Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) has revealed blueprints for the C949 - a 1.6-Mach jet that could fly further and more quickly than the Concorde - in a recent academic paper.
The paper said the project looked to achieve a 50 per cent range boost over the Concorde and is designed to make the plane fly as quietly as the noise level of a hairdryer.
It will do this with a curved plane body that will weaken shockwaves to delay violent booms that could come from the aircraft, the SCMP report continued.
Related
New York to London in just over 3 hours: Is this net zero supersonic jet the future of air travel?
Reducing the noise levels is a way for the plane to try and bypass regulatory barriers that ban supersonic flights, SCMP continued.
Euronews Next is trying to independently verify these claims by reaching out to the academic journal that published the findings as well as COMAC but has not received any replies at the time of publication.
Concorde flew just under 50,000 flights for carrier British Airline during its 26-year career.
Dave Caulin/AP
Other supersonic crafts in the works
The Concorde, an Anglo-French supersonic airliner that first took to the skies on a test flight in 1969, made just under 50,000 flights for carrier British Airways during its 26-year career.
The craft, with a maximum cruising speed of Mach 2.04 (around 2,180 km/h), boasted a flight time from London to New York of less than 3.5 hours instead of the regular 8 hours for a subsonic flight.
There hasn't been a non-military supersonic aircraft in service since Concorde's retirement in 2003 but there are other supersonic projects now in the works, like the X-59, a joint venture between the US Space Agency, NASA, and US-based manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
Related
The 'quiet' jet from NASA that could usher in a new era of supersonic air travel
Revealed last year, the aircraft flies at 55,000 feet (over 16,700 m) and produces sound equivalent to a car door closing, according to the jet's designers.
The X-59 is designed to travel at speeds of Mach 1.4 (around 1,730 km/h), slower than Concorde and the proposed Chinese C949.
In March, NASA announced that the X-59 successfully passed an engine speed hold, or cruise control test, a last step before a first flight that should happen later this year.
A mock-up of Boom's Overture aircraft in commercial service at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport, France.
Boom Supersonic
"We needed to verify that speed hold worked not just within the engine itself but as part of the entire aircraft system," Paul Dees, NASA's X-59 deputy propulsion lead at the agency's Armstrong Flight Research Center, said in a statement.
"This test confirmed that all components – software, mechanical linkages, and control laws – work together as intended".
Related
Bombardier unveils 'fastest passenger jet since the Concorde' following supersonic test
Private company Boom Supersonic wants to launch its supersonic jet, the Overture, before the end of the decade.
ADVERTISEMENT
In test craft XB-1's first test flight in
January
, the aircraft flew up to 1,207 km/h to an altitude of over 35,000 feet (10,600 m) and was able to land without a sonic boom, the company said.
There has already been commercial interest in the Overture, with Boom having already signed deals with
United Airlines
,
American Airlines, and Japan Airlines to deliver the aircraft once it meets the required safety standards.
The European Commission funded several projects to study noise reduction and the environmental impacts of supersonic flights, like the 2022 RUMBLE project, the 2020 SENECA project, and the ongoing MORE AND LESS project.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
4 hours ago
- France 24
Perplexity AI offers Google $34.5 bn for Chrome browser
The whopping sum proposed in a letter of intent by Perplexity is nearly double the value of the startup, which was reportedly $18 billion in a recent funding round. "This proposal is designed to satisfy an antitrust remedy in highest public interest by placing Chrome with a capable, independent operator focused on continuity, openness, and consumer protection," Perplexity chief executive Aravind Srinivas said in the letter, a copy of which was seen by AFP. Google is awaiting US District Court Judge Amit Mehta's ruling on what "remedies" to impose, following a landmark decision last year that said the tech titan maintained an illegal monopoly in online search. US government attorneys have called for Google to divest itself of the Chrome browser, contending that artificial intelligence is poised to ramp up the tech giant's dominance as the go-to window into the internet. Google has urged Mehta to reject the divestment, and his decision is expected by the end of the month. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Perplexity's offer vastly undervalues Chrome and "should not be taken seriously," Baird Equity Research analysts said in a note to investors. Given that Perplexity already has a browser that competes with Chrome, the San Francisco-based startup could be trying to spark others to bid or "influence the pending decision" in the antitrust case, Baird analysts theorized. "Either way, we believe Perplexity would view an independent Chrome -- or one no longer affiliated with Google -- as an advantage as it attempts to take browser share," Baird analysts told investors. Google contends that the United States has gone way beyond the scope of the suit by recommending a spinoff of Chrome, and holding open the option to force a sale of its Android mobile operating system. "Forcing the sale of Chrome or banning default agreements wouldn't foster competition," said Cato Institute senior fellow in technology policy Jennifer Huddleston. "It would hobble innovation, hurt smaller players, and leave users with worse products." Google attorney John Schmidtlein noted in court that more than 80 percent of Chrome users are outside the United States, meaning divestiture would have global ramifications. "Any divested Chrome would be a shadow of the current Chrome," he contended. "And once we are in that world, I don't see how you can say anybody is better off." The potential of Chrome being weakened or spun off comes as rivals such as Microsoft, ChatGPT and Perplexity put generative artificial intelligence (AI) to work fetching information from the internet in response to user queries. Google is among the tech companies investing heavily to be a leader in AI, and is weaving the technology into search and other online offerings.
Sustainability Times
5 hours ago
- Sustainability Times
"It's Now Twice Florida's Size": NASA Tracks Rapidly Expanding Anomaly In Earth's Magnetic Field Threatening Satellites And Power Systems
IN A NUTSHELL 🔍 NASA monitors the South Atlantic Anomaly, a region of weakened magnetic intensity impacting satellite operations . . 🛰️ The anomaly poses risks to technological systems in spacecraft due to exposure to solar particles. in spacecraft due to exposure to solar particles. 🧭 The anomaly's evolution involves dynamic changes and a potential split into two distinct cells. and a potential split into two distinct cells. 🌌 Ongoing research explores the anomaly's broader implications, including effects on Earth's magnetic field and auroras. NASA's ongoing surveillance of a peculiar anomaly in Earth's magnetic field has raised both intrigue and concern among scientists. This vast region of lower magnetic intensity, known as the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA), spans the skies between South America and southwest Africa. While it doesn't pose a direct threat to life on Earth, it has significant implications for spacecraft and satellite operations. As these technologies navigate through the anomaly, they face the risk of malfunction due to exposure to charged solar particles. The SAA's unpredictable nature continues to challenge researchers, prompting NASA to leverage its extensive resources to monitor and study this enigmatic phenomenon. The South Atlantic Anomaly: A Closer Look The South Atlantic Anomaly has long been a subject of scientific curiosity. This vast area of weakened magnetic intensity stretches over a significant portion of Earth's atmosphere. NASA likens the SAA to a 'dent' in our planet's magnetic field, affecting satellites and other orbital technologies. The anomaly's influence is particularly pronounced for spacecraft in low-Earth orbit, such as the International Space Station. As they pass through this region, they encounter a reduced magnetic shield, exposing them to high-energy protons from the Sun. This exposure can result in short circuits and malfunctions within technological systems onboard. Satellite operators must remain vigilant to mitigate the risks posed by the SAA. Routine shutdowns of spacecraft systems are often necessary to prevent significant data loss or permanent damage. Despite these challenges, the anomaly offers a unique opportunity for scientific exploration. NASA's dedicated research efforts aim to unravel the complexities of this mysterious phenomenon. By studying the SAA, scientists hope to deepen their understanding of Earth's magnetic field and its broader implications for our planet. NASA Chief Unveils 'Mind-Blowing Moon Power Plant' To Build Self-Sustaining Lunar Economy And Support Long-Term Human Settlements Beyond Earth Unraveling the Mystery of Earth's Magnetic Field Understanding the South Atlantic Anomaly requires a deep dive into the intricacies of Earth's magnetic field. This magnetic shield is primarily generated by the movement of molten iron in Earth's outer core. The dynamic nature of this swirling ocean of iron creates electrical currents that, in turn, generate the magnetic field. However, the field is not uniformly distributed. Geophysicists have identified a massive reservoir of dense rock beneath the African continent, known as the African Large Low Shear Velocity Province, which disrupts the field's formation. Located about 1,800 miles below the surface, this geological feature contributes to the anomaly's dramatic weakening effects. The tilt of Earth's magnetic axis further complicates the field's behavior. As a result, the SAA emerges as a region where the dipole field's dominance is weakened. This localized field, with its reversed polarity, creates a pocket of reduced magnetic intensity. NASA's research endeavors aim to shed light on these complex interactions, offering insights into the mechanisms driving the SAA's evolution. 'This Jet Will Shatter Laws of Physics and Privacy': X-59 Sparks Outrage as NASA Pushes Supersonic Silence into Civilian Skies Tracking the Anomaly's Dynamic Evolution Recent studies have revealed that the South Atlantic Anomaly is not a static feature. Instead, it is subject to dynamic changes in both size and shape. In 2016, NASA heliophysicist Ashley Greeley led a study that demonstrated the SAA's slow drift across the Earth's surface. Subsequent research using CubeSats confirmed the anomaly's movement, providing valuable data for tracking its evolution. Even more intriguingly, the SAA appears to be splitting into two distinct cells. In 2020, researchers discovered that the anomaly seemed to be dividing, creating separate centers of minimum magnetic intensity. This finding raises questions about the future trajectory of the SAA and its long-term implications. While the anomaly's precise impact on Earth's magnetic field remains uncertain, evidence suggests that it is not a recent development. Studies indicate that the SAA may have been a recurring event for millions of years, dispelling fears of an imminent magnetic field reversal. 'This Sensor Sees the Unseeable': NASA's Quantum Gravity Tech Set to Revolutionize Earth Monitoring With Unmatched Precision The Broader Implications of the Anomaly The South Atlantic Anomaly's influence extends beyond spacecraft and satellites. Recent research has highlighted its impact on auroras, adding another layer of complexity to its effects. As scientists continue to unravel the anomaly's mysteries, they are left with more questions than answers. The SAA serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of Earth's magnetic field and the need for continued observation and research. NASA's commitment to monitoring the SAA underscores the importance of understanding this vast magnetic oddity. By studying its behavior and evolution, researchers can develop models and predictions that enhance our knowledge of Earth's magnetic environment. The anomaly's ongoing transformation emphasizes the need for ongoing missions and data collection. As the SAA continues to evolve, it offers a unique opportunity for scientific discovery and exploration. As NASA diligently monitors the South Atlantic Anomaly, the scientific community remains captivated by its complexities. The anomaly's dynamic nature and potential implications for Earth's magnetic field pose a wealth of research opportunities. As we strive to understand this enigmatic phenomenon, we are left with a pressing question: How will the South Atlantic Anomaly continue to evolve, and what does its future hold for our planet and its technological advancements? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (27)
Local France
6 hours ago
- Local France
8 big problems that France faces this autumn
September in France marks la rentrée - when the kids go back to school, adults go back to work and the parliament starts a new term. It's traditionally a time for new ideas, fresh initiatives and planned legislation - but a highly combustible political situation, not to mention international tensions, make this year especially difficult. Battle over the budget France still has a significant budget deficit to address. The country finally managed to pass its 2025 budget in February, after the first version brought down Michel Barnier's government at the end of December. This year, the same challenge remains. In July, French Prime Minister François Bayrou gave an overview of what a possible 2026 budget could entail, intending to cut spending by €40 billion. Advertisement Bayrou floated plans such as cutting two public holidays and freezing spending increases (including on pensions and health), except for debt servicing and the defence sector. However, Bayrou's proposed cuts have not been popular amongst opposition parties, and the budget could end up bringing down another government. Debates in parliament begin in late September/early October. READ MORE: OPINION: Bayrou's budget has infuriated everyone and may force France into fresh elections Strikes and protests French unions have opposed Bayrou's proposals for budget cuts, and there is a possibility of large-scale mobilisation in September. The country's third-largest union, Force Ouvrière, has issued a strike notice for three months in autumn in response to cost-cutting measures announced by the prime minister. A meeting of France's inter-syndical - the group representing all the country's major unions - is scheduled for September 1st, and it's possible that other unions could join FO's action. Meanwhile, a previously unknown online group has issued a call for a complete blockade of the country from September 10th, which appears to be rapidly gaining traction. It remains to be seen how disruptive the action could be. Agriculture law (Loi Duplomb) While the piece of agricultural legislation known as the Loi Duplomb has been signed into law , it is possible there will be pushback as its key provisions begin to be enacted. The law caused a great deal of controversy in France, with more than 1 million people signing a petition to scrap it, in large part due to plans to reintroduce the bee-killing pesticide acetamiprid. Ultimately, France's Constitutional Council, the country's highest court, struck down the contested pesticide provision. However, the final version of the law also includes plans to change the rules on water storage , a topic that has also become more controversial as more parts of France suffer from increasing temperatures and drought each summer. Water supplies have already started to become a flashpoint - there were violent clashes in the south-west town of Sainte-Soline where giant underground water storage basins were being built in 2023. Advertisement Start of EES The EU is due to bring in its new Entry & Exit System (EES) on October 12th, 2025, with a six-month phased introduction. EES will require passengers to give biometric details, including fingerprints and a facial scan, and an automated passport scanning to keep track of time spent in the EU for those covered by the 90-day rule. Although the system covers all of the EU's external borders, there are particular worries about the busy UK-France border. READ MORE: Travel to France: Your questions answered about EES And ETIAS Trump tariffs The EU seems to have struck a deal with Washington for a 15 percent tariff on EU goods entering the US market - but this is more of an outline agreement and negotiations continue on certain sectors. As such, it is unclear when the tariffs would actually come into force. Overall, France is not one of the worst-affected EU countries - Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium are expected to be the worst hit - but there are some areas and industries that would be hit especially hard. In 2024, French exports to the US were driven by aeronautics, beverages (wine and Cognac) , and pharmaceuticals. READ MORE: Why Normandy is the French region hardest hit by US tariffs Brexit cards As the first post-Brexit residency permits - known as the Article 50 TUE cartes de séjour or WARP cards - begin to reach their expiration dates at the end of 2025 and early 2026, the French government must soon announce instructions for card renewals. Advertisement Brits who were living in France prior to Brexit and have the five-year card should benefit from a simplified renewal process as outlined in the Withdrawal Agreement - but at present it not clear exactly how the card renewals will be done (eg online or in person, using a special website or the standard ANEF site). The Local has been in touch with the Interior Ministry to ask about procedures for renewals. READ MORE: Latest: What's the deal with renewing the post-Brexit carte de séjour Immigration law As for other residency-related questions - as part of the 2024 immigration law, the French parliament voted to bring in stricter language requirements for certain residency cards and French nationality, from January 2026. READ MORE: Your questions answered: New French language requirements for foreigners Those making their first application for a carte de séjour pluriannuelle (multi-year card, max duration of four years) will from January need to demonstrate a French level of at least A2 according to the DELF/ CERL international language scale. Those making their first application for a 10-year carte de résident (in most cases, available after five years of consecutive residency) will need to demonstrate at least B1 level in French - an increase from the previous requirement of A2. Those applying for French citizenship will need to demonstrate at least B2 level in French, instead of the previous requirement of B1. Citizenship applications from January 1st will also involve a written civics exam, with the details to be announced in the coming weeks. As such, préfectures have a lot of preparation to do this autumn, and many are dealing with significant backlogs. It is possible that the culmination of several new requirements could lead to more delays. READ MORE: New law: What's changing and what's staying the same for French citizenship? International situation This isn't a France specific problem of course, but the international situation remains tense. France has taken a lead when it comes to military aid to Ukraine, with France and the UK - as Europe's two major military powers - agreeing to a 'reassurance force' to be deployed in the country. The situation in Gaza shows no sign of improving and president Emmanuel Macron has pledged that France will formally recognise the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September. France, which has both Europe's largest Jewish population and its largest Muslim population, remains on high alert for the potential for the conflict to spark unrest or terrorists threats within Europe.
