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China’s National University of Defense Technology’s College of Aerospace Science and Engineering in Changsha has developed a cooling device designed to enhance the performance of hypersonic missiles. This new technology is claimed to significantly increase the missile’s flight time by nearly two and a half hours, a substantial improvement over previous solutions and sufficient for a journey across the globe.
Hypersonic missiles face considerable challenges due to the extreme heat generated during high-speed atmospheric flight. As these missiles travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, the aerodynamic heating they experience is vastly intensified. At these speeds, the heat generated is over 100 times greater than that experienced at Mach 1. The problem becomes even more pronounced with speeds approaching Mach 15, where the heating increases nearly 30-fold. This intense heat can severely impact the missile’s performance and durability, often leading to failures of missiles in earlier designs.
The new cooling device addresses these issues with a novel approach. Unlike traditional methods that rely on complex components like heat pipes or booster pumps, this device features a simple, cost-effective structure. It operates using the thermal energy from aerodynamic heating as the driving force for an active cooling cycle. This mechanism allows for autonomous pressurization and cooling, ensuring that critical components remain functional under extreme conditions, According to Interesting Engineering. The device is also reusable, requiring only clean water to be added prior to every flight.
The cooling system consists of a cylindrical device attached to the underside of the aircraft. As the device heats up, heat moves to the top of the cylinder, where cooling water circulates as a result of pressure created by temperature-sensitive components. A water storage container at the top is filled with aerogel, which absorbs water and provides thermal insulation. During flight, the device maintains the cabin temperature below 100 degrees for the first 50 minutes. As the coolant begins to boil and vaporize, it transfers heat more efficiently, with the system reaching peak performance by the 66th minute. High-temperature steam then escapes through a pressure relief valve, while the porous nature of the aerogel ensures steady cooling for a prolonged period of time.
This cooling device is designed to be integrated with other thermal protection technologies, such as high-temperature-resistant coatings and lightweight insulation structures, to manage the extensive thermal demands of hypersonic flight. The device could pave the way for more advanced and reliable hypersonic missiles.
