China set to redefine supersonic travel with C949: quieter, faster, farther

Chinese aerospace giant COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has unveiled plans for the C949, a groundbreaking supersonic airliner that promises to surpass the legendary Concorde in both range and noise reduction.

This ambitious project underscores China’s growing presence in the high-speed air travel sector, signaling a new era for supersonic flight, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

The C949 is set to revolutionize air travel with a remarkable 50 per cent longer range than the Concorde, capable of flying up to 11,000 kilometers compared to the Concorde’s 7,200 kilometers. Furthermore, the jet aims to significantly reduce the noise pollution traditionally associated with supersonic flights. The noise level of the C949 will be a mere 83.9 Perceived Level in decibels (PLdB), similar to the sound of a hairdryer, and just a fraction of the deafening sonic boom produced by the Concorde.

The new aircraft is being developed by a team led by renowned aerodynamicist Wu Dawei, with details of the project published in Acta Aeronautica Sinica on March 14. The C949 is designed to address two major issues that hindered the Concorde’s commercial success: noise and range.

The C949 boasts several cutting-edge aerodynamic features aimed at minimizing noise and enhancing flight performance. One of the most notable innovations is its shape-shifting fuselage with a “reverse-camber” midsection. This design weakens shock waves and delays their transition into a sonic boom, while the long, needle-like nose splits the leading shock wave into three gentler pulses. Special aerodynamic bulges near the engines will scatter exhaust turbulence, further reducing the trailing boom.

The aircraft will rely on an artificial intelligence-powered control system to manage the complex aerodynamics at high speeds. Additionally, the jet will feature a dynamic fuel system that moves 42,000 kilograms of fuel between seven tanks, allowing it to maintain balance during flight. Twin adaptive-cycle turbofan engines will power the C949, enabling it to cruise at Mach 1.6 in "low-boom" mode or Mach 1.7 in "eco" mode at an altitude of 16,000 meters.

The C949 is designed to accommodate between 28 and 48 passengers, all in business-class style seating. This configuration positions the aircraft as a luxury option for trans-Pacific routes, such as Shanghai to Los Angeles, where the journey could be completed in just about five hours. According to estimates from Wu’s team, the potential market for supersonic travel could reach 45 million passengers annually, representing approximately 1 per cent of global air travel. Initially, the C949 would fly over oceans to minimize the impact of its noise, avoiding populated land areas.

COMAC has set an ambitious timeline for the C949, with the aircraft expected to enter service by 2049, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. This follows the planned launch of the C929 twin-aisle airliner in 2027 and the 400-seat C939 by 2039.

While the project boasts impressive technical specifications, it faces significant challenges. Fuel efficiency must surpass that of the Concorde to ensure the aircraft’s operations are economically viable. Furthermore, the C949 must overcome lingering concerns regarding the safety of supersonic travel, especially given the tragic 2000 crash of a Concorde flight in Paris that resulted in fatalities.

The C949 represents China’s bold entry into the race to revive supersonic passenger travel, an arena currently dominated by NASA’s X-59 program and private ventures like Boom Supersonic. With its enhanced range, quieter design, and cutting-edge technology, the C949 could become a formidable competitor in the future of high-speed air travel.

As the world watches, COMAC’s C949 promises to redefine the possibilities of supersonic flight, heralding a new chapter in the evolution of air travel.

By Vafa Guliyeva