China has demonstrated a passenger plane that flies faster than sound
The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) has officially unveiled the design of its supersonic C949 passenger aircraft. This innovative airliner was reported by the South China Morning Post.
C949 – The Future of Air Transport
The C949 aircraft has the capability to cover distances of up to 11,000 kilometers. This allows it to make nonstop flights from, for example, Britain to Malaysia. According to the project, it will have higher efficiency than the previously produced Concorde aircraft.
One of the important aspects is to reduce the sonic boom to a level of 83.9 decibels. This level is equivalent to the noise produced by a regular hairdryer when in use. This could help overcome the legal restrictions currently in place regarding supersonic flights.
Advantages Over the Concorde
The C949 airliner is designed to accommodate 168 passengers, which is significantly higher than the Concorde's capacity of 128. Additionally, the C949 is expected to meet high safety standards. For reference, the Concorde was fully retired after a crash near Paris's Charles de Gaulle Airport in 2000, which resulted in the deaths of 113 people.
Technological Capabilities
The C949 has seven fuel tanks that can hold a total of 42 tons of fuel. To maintain the designated center of gravity, fuel is automatically redistributed among the tanks. The aircraft will be equipped with an artificial intelligence system to monitor this process.
Project Planned for 2024
COMAC was established in 2008 at the initiative of the Chinese government and is currently under U.S. sanctions. The supersonic C949 airliner is planned to be put into service by 2049, coinciding with the centenary of the Chinese Communist Party.
The C949 project is expected to revolutionize the air transport sector. If all plans are successfully implemented, this airliner could eliminate existing restrictions on supersonic air travel, ushering in a new era in the aviation industry
