MD-19 – another Chinese military aerial technology breakthrough

China continues to push the boundaries of hypersonic technology. The latest test of the MD-19 – an aircraft dropped from a TB-001 drone and a high altitude balloon in two separate tests, capable of reaching hypersonic speeds and then landing horizontally on a runway – is yet another breakthrough in military aerial technology.

The MD-19 was shown being air-launched from a Tengden TB-001, a medium-altitude long-endurance [MALE] combat drone developed by Sichuan Tengden.

Another video showed the MD-19 being released from near-orbital altitude using a high-altitude balloon.

This suggests the platform is being tested under varied conditions to assess its performance across different launch platforms and different phases of flight.

The test flights highlight China’s increasing ability to combine unmanned platforms with hypersonic technology, offering greater operational flexibility and reducing energy costs.

The exact timing of these tests remains unclear, though some reports suggest they may have started as early as 2020.

The MD-19 sports the logos of the Institute of Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMCAS). It is a member of the same family of hypersonic aircrafts first displayed in the 2022 Zhuhai Airshow. At the Zhuhai show, a model named MD-22 was displayed.

MD-19 has been developed by the same team behind the MD-22 that includes IMCAS, as well as the Guangdong Aerodynamic Research Academy (GARA).

MD-22 has a wedge-shaped main fuselage, delta wings, and twin canted vertical tails with retractable tricycle landing gear. The MD-22 design has been stated to be close to 11 meters long, wingspan of 4.5 meters, an empty weight of one ton, a maximum take-off weight of four tons, a peak speed of Mach 7, and a maximum range of 8,000 kilometers.

What makes the MD-19 truly noteworthy, however, is its ability to land horizontally on a conventional runway after completing its mission. This capability – a world first for a hypersonic aircraft configuration – could represent a major step forward in reusability and operational efficiency.

Most hypersonic platforms are single-use – they either burn up in the atmosphere or are destroyed on impact. The MD-19 rewrites that playbook. After being launched into the air and achieving hypersonic speeds, it has the ability to slow down, stabilize, and land on a conventional runway. This isn’t just an innovation – it’s a massive logistical advantage.

- First, the ability to reuse such an aircraft dramatically reduces costs and allows for frequent testing or operational missions.

- Second, horizontal landing means rapid turnaround and preparation for the next flight, which would be critical in real combat scenarios.

- Third, it’s a clear demonstration of technological capabilities that few nations can match.

The ability of drones to fly at hypersonic speeds and land horizontally would revolutionize a range of military and strategic capabilities, from rapid deployment to enhanced survivability in contested airspace.

The development of such technologies could reshape the way advanced systems are deployed in both military and commercial applications.

The TB-001 drone’s role as a carrier also adds a layer of tactical versatility. Acting as a launch platform, the TB-001 can deploy the MD-19 deep into contested airspace while maintaining a lower profile, reducing the risk of early detection and interception.

This combination of stealth and strategic reach could make it an ideal delivery system for future hypersonic weapons or reconnaissance missions.

Tengden’s TB-001 is a well-established design, versions of which are in operational service with the PLA. Though the TB-001 has been shown with various weapons loaded on pylons under its wings in the past, this appears to be the first time it has been seen launching another uncrewed platform in flight.

Another very interesting development – at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, GARA displayed a concept for an unpowered hypersonic boost-glide weapon called the GDF-600 designed to be loaded with various submunitions.

Launching payloads of any kind from a platform traveling at hypersonic speed presents significant technological challenges because of the physical and thermal stresses involved, particularly during separation. The MD-series vehicles could be useful for proving out such a capability.

An MD-series platform used to demonstrate how a high-altitude hypersonic air vehicle could perform missions like kinetic strike or intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), would be a clear stepping stone to an operational capability. Even smaller, shorter-range variations could be used in a similar role as the WZ-8 or even as missiles.

In summary, China’s military aerial technology development is nothing short of breath-taking. As these weapon systems are operationalized and deployed, China will define the future of air wars.