Thread by @wmhuo168

China just dropped a supersonic jet that flies faster, farther, and quieter than the Concorde. It’s not just aviation—it’s a geopolitical power move at Mach 1.6.

thedefensenews.com/news-details/C…

China's COMAC just unveiled the C949, a supersonic passenger jet designed to beat the Concorde not just in speed but also in range and noise. It's sleek, fast, and eerily quiet. 1/18

This Mach 1.6 beast promises to fly Shanghai to LA in just 5 hours. That's 1,227 mph cruising speed and a range of 11,000 km—about 50% more than the Concorde ever managed. 2/18

The real flex? It's quiet. Using low-boom tech, the C949 hits 83.9 PLdB, which is about as loud as a hairdryer. That could make overland supersonic flights politically feasible. 3/18

Its design looks like something out of a sci-fi flick: a shape-shifting fuselage, a needle-like nose, reverse-camber belly, and bulges by the engines to kill shockwaves. 4/18

An AI-powered fly-by-wire system handles the controls at Mach speeds. It’s not just fly fast, it’s fly smart—compensating for turbulence, drag, and shifting aerodynamics. 5/18

Under the hood: twin adaptive-cycle turbofan engines, switching between cruise and eco modes, topping out at 16,000 meters altitude. Concorde couldn’t dream of this. 6/18

Fuel management is next-level. 42,000 kg of fuel is dynamically redistributed mid-flight across seven tanks to balance center of gravity and boost efficiency. 7/18

Unlike Concorde’s cramped economy, the C949 goes full premium—28 to 48 passengers max, each getting business-class legroom and luxury. Less cattle, more comfort. 8/18

But not all is smooth flying. Fuel efficiency still lags. Matching the performance of the Olympus 593 engine is tough—even with adaptive turbines. 9/18

Public trust is another mountain. The 2000 Concorde crash lingers in memory. Convincing passengers to board a supersonic jet again won't be easy. 10/18

Then there’s red tape. ICAO Chapter 14 noise compliance is a win, but regulators in the US and Europe aren’t exactly itching to approve supersonic overland flights. 11/18

COMAC isn’t rushing. First commercial flight is pegged for 2049, the PRC’s centennial. That’s symbolic timing—and a not-so-subtle shot at Western aerospace dominance. 12/18

The C949 is part of a triple punch: the C929 for widebody, the C939 to go long-haul, and now this supersonic stiletto meant to jab Boeing’s 787 and 777X. 13/18

It’s not just about aviation. It’s industrial prestige, national pride, and geopolitical messaging, all wrapped in carbon fiber and jet fuel. 14/18

Western firms are still pitching subsonic efficiency. COMAC is saying: why not speed and range and silence? It’s a new kind of arms race—at 50,000 feet. 15/18

If successful, the C949 won’t just redefine air travel. It’ll redraw the aerospace map. Airbus and Boeing might still laugh—but not for long. 16/18

By targeting premium passengers and corporate elites, China’s betting on influence by altitude. This is soft power with a sonic boom. 17/18

Whether it flies or flops, the C949 signals this: China isn’t just catching up. It’s plotting a leap—and daring the West to respond. 18/18