Supersonic Drones and High-Speed Flight

China has unveiled the “Monkey King,” a supersonic drone designed by Lingkong Tianxing Technology. This drone is capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 4, double that of the retired Concorde, and is intended to operate at altitudes of 12.4 miles. Powered by two detonation engines, the “Monkey King” is scheduled for test flights next year, with aspirations to develop high-speed passenger jets by 2030. This initiative is part of China’s broader efforts to advance aerospace technology, including projects like the “White Emperor” sixth-generation fighter jet and the CH-YH1000 cargo drone.