China carried out atmospheric tests with three hypersonic vehicle models at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre on 21 September, with state-owned television channel CCTV 7 reporting a week later that the tests were completed successfully.
China conducted atmospheric tests with three hypersonic vehicle models at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre on 21 September.Photo by: Via CCTV 7
The three test vehicles were lofted to a high altitude beneath a balloon before being released and free-falling back to Earth at speeds in excess of Mach 1.
The vehicle models reflected different aerodynamic configurations: one with a delta form and single vertical tail fin; another with twin tail fins and the third with the vehicle body underslung beneath the wing.
The scale models, which were about 2 m long with a wingspan of about 1.5 m, were designated D18-1S, D18-2S, and D18-3S.
janes.com