Latest news with #COMAC
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
China's ambitious supersonic jet C949 set to revive the Concorde legacy, COMAC unveils plans for a faster, quieter aircraft by 2049
China's state-owned aircraft manufacturer COMAC has unveiled bold plans for the C949, a next-generation supersonic passenger jet designed to revolutionize global travel. If realized, the C949 could cut traditional long-haul routes like London-New York and Shanghai-Los Angeles by half, and do so in remarkable silence and efficiency compared to historic supersonic icons like the Concorde . The Concorde, jointly developed and manufactured by Great Britain and France, operated from 1976 to 2003. It was renowned for its speed, flying at over twice the speed of sound and cutting transatlantic flights to about three and a half hours. Despite its groundbreaking technology, the Concorde faced challenges such as loud sonic booms, limited range, high fuel consumption, and high operational costs, which eventually led to its retirement. The COMAC C949 aims to revive and surpass the Concorde's legacy by offering 50% greater range. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program A supersonic passenger jet is a type of airplane that can fly faster than the speed of sound, which is about 1,235 km/h (767 mph). This means it travels at speeds above Mach 1 , significantly reducing flight times compared to regular jets. For example, a supersonic jet can cut travel time between cities like New York and London from about 7 hours to just 3 hours. These jets face unique challenges like loud sonic booms, high fuel use, and the need to handle intense heat caused by flying so fast. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 1 minute and see why everyone is addicted. Undo Key features of the C949 supersonic airliner Supersonic speed: The C949 is projected to cruise at Mach 1.6 (about 1.6 times the speed of sound), bringing speeds just under 2,000 km/h. This could make possible journeys such as Beijing–Moscow in roughly 3 hours or Shanghai–LA in just 5 hours—routes that previously took over twice as long. Extended range: With an intended range of 11,000 km—significantly surpassing the Concorde's 7,200 km and the Russian Tupolev Tu-144's 6,500 km—the C949 is expected to serve many more city pairs globally without refueling. Noise reduction—A quieter boom: Past supersonic jets faced steep regulatory and public challenges due to loud sonic booms. COMAC claims the C949 will generate a boom of only 83.9 PLdB—approximately the noise of a standard hairdryer, and about 95% quieter than the Concorde. This is largely thanks to a patented 'reverse-camber' midsection, a needle-like nose, and specialized engine nacelles to scatter the shock waves and reduce boom intensity. Passenger capacity and luxury: The C949 targets a capacity of 28–48 passengers, making it more exclusive but nimbler for premium routes compared to the Concorde's 100–128 seats or the Tu-144's 140. Despite the smaller size, COMAC aims to carry up to 45 million passengers annually by the second half of the 21st century as the fleet grows. Technical innovations: AI-Driven Flight Controls: The aircraft will feature a new-generation AI-powered fly-by-wire system for enhanced aerodynamic management, ensuring stability at supersonic speeds, including automated compensation for sideslip angles. Advanced Structural Materials: To handle the extreme heat and stress of high-speed flight, the airframe will use titanium alloy and carbon composites—reducing weight by up to 30% compared to aluminum and boosting efficiency. Dynamic Fuel System: The C949 will shuttle its 42-ton fuel load among seven tanks in-flight to optimize center of gravity and aerodynamic efficiency. Timeline and development status COMAC first revealed the C949's design ambitions in March 2025, following the publication of detailed technical papers by its engineers in China's Acta Aeronautica Sinica journal. The company has targeted 2049—coinciding with the centenary of the People's Republic of China—as the target year for launch and entry into commercial service. Global supersonic race The C949 isn't alone in the world's renewed supersonic ambitions. The United States is progressing with the NASA/Lockheed Martin X-59 , designed to fly at Mach 1.5 (1,590 km/h) with a similarly quiet 'thump' rather than a boom, aiming for a 3 hour 44 minute transatlantic crossing. NASA 's data from the X-59 is expected to help global regulators decide new acceptable noise limits for future supersonic planes, further shaping the competitive landscape for commercial supersonic travel. Challenges and prospects Despite the promise, several hurdles remain: Live Events Environmental impact: The emissions and high-altitude pollution of supersonic jets remain controversial, especially as governments accelerate sustainable aviation goals. Noise compliance: Even at reduced sonic boom levels, regulatory approval for overland supersonic flights will be critical. High costs: Historically, supersonic travel has been expensive, making it accessible only to premium travelers. COMAC's C949, with its focus on quieter operations, advanced design, and longer routes, aims to address these issues and position China as a leader in the second golden age of supersonic flight.
Zawya
28-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE to enhance aviation cooperation with China
The UAE's Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Saif Al Suwaidi, led a delegation to China to enhance technical and commercial collaboration in the civil aviation sector. The visit aimed to push forward the strategic partnership between the UAE and China. The UAE delegation included senior representatives from the General Civil Aviation Authority, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, EDGE Group, and the Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah. The UAE delegation visited several leading Chinese aerospace manufacturers, including Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), TCab Tech, AutoFlight, and CETC LES. They also explored the latest developments in aviation manufacturing and discussed joint industrial opportunities. The final two days of the visit were held in Beijing, where senior officials from the UAE and China's Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) and Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB) convened to discuss regulatory alignment, certification systems, maintenance cooperation, air navigation services, and institutional development. The visit concluded with a high-level meeting between Saif Al Suwaidi and his Chinese counterpart, Song Zhiyong, Administrator of CAAC, attended by senior diplomatic representatives from the UAE Embassy in China. Copyright 2025 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Sharjah 24
26-07-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
UAE, China strengthen civil aviation ties during high-level visit
Strengthening strategic aviation ties The visit aimed to enhance technical and commercial collaboration in the civil aviation sector, to push forward the UAE and China's strategic partnership. The UAE delegation included Badr Salim Al Olama, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and Engr. Esmaeel Hassan Alblooshi, Director General of the Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah, along with senior representatives from the General Civil Aviation Authority, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, EDGE Group, and the Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al-Khaimah (RAKDCA). Building on strong bilateral relations Saif Al Suwaidi emphasised that cooperation between the UAE and China in civil aviation continues to grow steadily, supported by existing agreements and the strong bilateral relations. Focus on knowledge exchange and innovation He stated, 'We are working to expand cooperation with our partners in China, particularly in the fields of manufacturing, technical licensing, and knowledge exchange, contributing to the development of civil aviation systems. This visit represents a practical step towards establishing new partnerships that support the future growth plans of the aviation sector in both countries.' Shanghai meetings and site visits The visit began in Shanghai, where the delegation conducted high-level meetings and field visits with several leading Chinese aerospace manufacturers, including Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), TCab Tech, AutoFlight, and CETC LES. Exploring cutting-edge aviation manufacturing The UAE delegation, comprising senior representatives from GCAA, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, EDGE, and Ras Al Khaimah Department of Civil Aviation, explored the latest developments in aviation manufacturing. Tour of COMAC and strategic discussions Al Suwaidi also toured COMAC's production facilities and met with Shen Bo, Vice Chairman of COMAC, in a high-level discussion that reviewed the company's forward-looking plans and explored joint industrial opportunities. Beijing talks on regulation and systems alignment The final two days of the visit were held in Beijing, where senior officials from the UAE and China's Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) and Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB) convened to discuss regulatory alignment, certification systems, maintenance cooperation, air navigation services, and institutional development. High-level meeting concludes visit The visit concluded with a high-level meeting between Saif Al Suwaidi and his Chinese counterpart, Song Zhiyong, Administrator of CAAC, attended by senior diplomatic representatives from the UAE Embassy in China. Shared vision for future aviation growth Both sides reiterated their shared commitment to deepening aviation ties and outlined a mutual vision for future cooperation in the civil aviation sector.
Gulf Today
26-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
UAE delegation discusses enhancing aviation cooperation with China
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), led an official delegation from the United Arab Emirates on a four-day visit to the People's Republic of China. The visit aimed to enhance technical and commercial collaboration in the civil aviation sector, to push forward the UAE and China's strategic partnership. The UAE delegation included Badr Salim Al Olama, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and Engr. Esmaeel Hassan Alblooshi, Director General of the Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah, along with senior representatives from the General Civil Aviation Authority, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, EDGE Group, and the Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al-Khaimah (RAKDCA). Saif Al Suwaidi emphasised that cooperation between the UAE and China in civil aviation continues to grow steadily, supported by existing agreements and the strong bilateral relations. He stated, 'We are working to expand cooperation with our partners in China, particularly in the fields of manufacturing, technical licensing, and knowledge exchange, contributing to the development of civil aviation systems. This visit represents a practical step towards establishing new partnerships that support the future growth plans of the aviation sector in both countries.' The visit began in Shanghai, where the delegation conducted high-level meetings and field visits with several leading Chinese aerospace manufacturers, including Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), TCab Tech, AutoFlight, and CETC LES. The UAE delegation, comprising senior representatives from GCAA, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, EDGE, and Ras Al Khaimah Department of Civil Aviation, explored the latest developments in aviation manufacturing. Al Suwaidi also toured COMAC's production facilities and met with Shen Bo, Vice Chairman of COMAC, in a high-level discussion that reviewed the company's forward-looking plans and explored joint industrial opportunities. The final two days of the visit were held in Beijing, where senior officials from the UAE and China's Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) and Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB) convened to discuss regulatory alignment, certification systems, maintenance cooperation, air navigation services, and institutional development. The visit concluded with a high-level meeting between Saif Al Suwaidi and his Chinese counterpart, Song Zhiyong, Administrator of CAAC, attended by senior diplomatic representatives from the UAE Embassy in China. Both sides reiterated their shared commitment to deepening aviation ties and outlined a mutual vision for future cooperation in the civil aviation sector. WAM
Al Etihad
26-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE delegation discusses enhancing aviation cooperation with China
26 July 2025 15:42 BEIJING (WAM)Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), led an official delegation from the United Arab Emirates on a four-day visit to the People's Republic of visit aimed to enhance technical and commercial collaboration in the civil aviation sector, to push forward the UAE and China's strategic UAE delegation included Badr Salim Al Olama, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and Esmaeel Hassan Alblooshi, Director General of the Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah, along with senior representatives from the General Civil Aviation Authority, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, EDGE Group, and the Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al-Khaimah (RAKDCA).Saif Al Suwaidi emphasised that cooperation between the UAE and China in civil aviation continues to grow steadily, supported by existing agreements and the strong bilateral stated, 'We are working to expand cooperation with our partners in China, particularly in the fields of manufacturing, technical licensing, and knowledge exchange, contributing to the development of civil aviation systems. This visit represents a practical step towards establishing new partnerships that support the future growth plans of the aviation sector in both countries.'The visit began in Shanghai, where the delegation conducted high-level meetings and field visits with several leading Chinese aerospace manufacturers, including Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), TCab Tech, AutoFlight, and CETC UAE delegation, comprising senior representatives from GCAA, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, EDGE, and Ras Al Khaimah Department of Civil Aviation, explored the latest developments in aviation Suwaidi also toured COMAC's production facilities and met with Shen Bo, Vice Chairman of COMAC, in a high-level discussion that reviewed the company's forward-looking plans and explored joint industrial final two days of the visit were held in Beijing, where senior officials from the UAE and China's Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) and Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB) convened to discuss regulatory alignment, certification systems, maintenance cooperation, air navigation services, and institutional visit concluded with a high-level meeting between Saif Al Suwaidi and his Chinese counterpart, Song Zhiyong, Administrator of CAAC, attended by senior diplomatic representatives from the UAE Embassy in China. Both sides reiterated their shared commitment to deepening aviation ties and outlined a mutual vision for future cooperation in the civil aviation sector.
