{"id":88591,"date":"2025-04-01T18:06:26","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T12:36:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=88591"},"modified":"2025-04-01T18:06:31","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T12:36:31","slug":"china-unveils-comac-c949-supersonic-jet-to-rival-concorde","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/01\/china-unveils-comac-c949-supersonic-jet-to-rival-concorde\/","title":{"rendered":"China Unveils COMAC C949: A Long-Range Supersonic Jet to Rival Concorde"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BEIJING-<\/strong> Chinese state-owned aerospace company COMAC <\/a>has revealed plans for the C949, a supersonic airliner <\/strong>that promises to fly farther and more quietly than the retired Concorde<\/a>. This new aircraft signals China’s ambition to lead in high-speed air travel technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jet will have a 50% longer range<\/strong> (11,000 kilometers compared to Concorde’s 7,200 kilometers) while producing only one-twentieth of Concorde’s thunderous sonic boom<\/strong>. The noise level will reach just 83.9 Perceived Level in decibels (PLdB), similar to a hairdryer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"China
Photo Compiled by Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Advanced Features of the C949<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

COMAC engineers, led by award-winning aerodynamicist Wu Dawei, published details in the journal Acta Aeronautica Sinica on March 14. The C949 aims to achieve two major improvements over the Concorde:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Noise Reduction-<\/strong> This noise reduction could help overcome regulations that have banned supersonic flights over land since the Concorde era.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Longer Range-<\/strong> The jet will have a 50% longer range than the Concorde.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Design<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The C949’s design includes several innovative elements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. A shape-shifting fuselage with a curved “reverse-camber” midsection weakens shock waves and delays their transition into sonic booms. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. The long, needle-like nose splits the leading shock wave into three gentler pulses. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Special aerodynamic bulges near the engines scatter exhaust turbulence to reduce the trailing boom.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. The aircraft will need an artificial intelligence-powered control system to manage complex aerodynamics at high speeds.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Engineering<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      The plane features a dynamic fuel system <\/strong>that moves 42,000 kilograms of fuel between 7 tanks to balance the aircraft during flight. Twin adaptive-cycle turbofan engines <\/strong>will power the jet, allowing it to cruise at Mach 1.6 in “low-boom” mode or Mach 1.7 in “eco” mode at 16,000 meters altitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      “COMAC<\/strong> claims the take-off noise meets international standards, making it suitable for urban airports<\/strong>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      welcome to COMAC C949 and… pic.twitter.com\/BG1ciTUj5n<\/a><\/p>— Olala\ud83c\uddfb\ud83c\uddf3 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddf3 \ud83c\uddf7\ud83c\uddfa (@olalatech1) May 15, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>