China’s New MD-19 Hypersonic Drone Summed Up in 4 Words

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A Threat to America?: China’s MD-19 hypersonic drone, unveiled via social media in December, represents a leap in near-space technology.

-Developed by the Qian Xuesen Science and Technology Youth Task Force, this reusable drone can reach hypersonic speeds above Mach 5 and operate in near-space altitudes.

-Though experimental, the MD-19 has showcased impressive capabilities, including being launched from a TB-001 twin-tailed drone and landing independently. Its potential roles range from reconnaissance to anti-satellite missions or even kamikaze strikes against ships.

-The MD-19 underscores China’s advancements in aerospace engineering and hypersonic systems, challenging U.S. primacy in this critical area of military technology.

MD-19 Drone: China’s Hypersonic Breakthrough in Near-Space Warfare

You know by now that China is not afraid to leap ahead when it comes to military hardware, particularly in drone warfare. 

There is new evidence that the country’s defense industrial base is winning the race to the top of the mountain. 

Look no further than the newfangled MD-19 drone with hypersonic speed and ultra-high near-space altitude, making it one of the most interesting unmanned craft today. 

The uncrewed aerial system made an appearance in a social media video in December. 

This is the first time the Chinese have publicly announced the unmanned warbird.

‘Youth Task Force’ Is Effective 

The MD-19 was built by the “Qian Xuesen Science and Technology Youth Task Force.” This is a curious moniker named after the famous aerospace designer Qian Xuesen, who made many space breakthroughs in the 1950s.

 It’s unclear what the “Youth Task Force” means, but they certainly did an excellent job getting this unmanned aerial system to fly so high.

The MD-19 is an experimental craft still in the test and evaluation phase. 

During the flight this month, at least nine in-flight experiments were conducted. The MD-19 was carried to altitude from another aircraft.

 This time, it was released by a “TB-001 twin-tailed drone and a high-altitude balloon,” according to Defence Blog. 

The MD-19 could land on a runway without assistance after the flight.

MD-19: China Is Sprinting Forward in Drone Technology

“The unmanned aerial system’s development underscores China’s growing capabilities in hypersonic and near-space technologies, areas that have become a focal point of global defense competition. Near-space, the atmospheric layer between traditional airspace and low Earth orbit, has emerged as a strategic domain for reconnaissance, surveillance, and advanced weapons systems,” Defence Blog wrote.

The drone is based on the MD-22 unmanned technology demonstrator from two years ago. The Chinese are improving their high-altitude drone offerings at every turn. The MD-19 is not a large drone – measuring only eight to eleven feet long.

Is This a Space Weapon?

The MD-19 will give China another option to engage in space warfare. This drone may not be big enough or powerful enough to carry weapons, but it could contain cameras that offer an excellent view of the aerial battlefield for better command and control. 

Thus, It is unclear if the Chinese want to keep it as a recon bird or try to arm it someday. For example, the MD-19 could carry small anti-satellite missiles.

The hypersonic speed is most concerning. The Chinese could make it into a kamikaze drone to destroy enemy ships or targets on the ground. The plus-MACH 5 speed and in-flight maneuverability would make it difficult to prevent a glide bomb attack.

Since it is a reusable drone, China can make this program cost-effective if it can continue to launch from other aircraft and land on conventional runways successfully. 

Another Feat in Aerospace Design and Engineering

China, with its pairing of the TB-001 and the MD-19, has the engineering chops to make a complex and precise operation look easy. The best aerospace engineers in the country must have a solid education in creating such a choreographed maneuver in unmanned flight.

Continuing to Develop Drones with Hypersonic Attributes

Not a day goes by when the Chinese military unveils something ground-breaking regarding military platforms. 

To be sure, the MD-19 is still in experimental mode, but the specs are striking, and the drone gives the Chinese much confidence in their defense industry. This development raises the question of whether the nation can keep plowing money into test and evaluation platforms and use the technology in other aircraft. 

The hypersonic aspects of the MD-19 will likely lead to other unmanned vehicles that can push the Chinese military beyond the efforts that the West is undertaking. 

The MD-19 gives the Chinese several options. It can remain in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mode. The drone could be an anti-satellite platform, or the MD-19 could be filled with explosives to dive down and destroy an aircraft carrier.

The MD-19 may not be fully powered during all aspects of its flight. It still needs a ride to near space altitude and may have to glide to land. But this bird is impressive and shows how serious the Chinese are when creating ingenious ways to make drones into multi-mission platforms that challenge the primacy of the United States and its allies. 

We will watch the MD-19 to see if it will stay in recon mode or be armed someday.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.