China’s Hypersonic Ambition Takes Flight: Meet the ‘Monkey King’ Drone
China has unveiled a revolutionary supersonic drone, the “Monkey King” (named after the mythical hero Sun Wukong), designed to fly at Mach 4—twice the speed of the iconic Concorde—and eventually carry passengers on commercial routes. Developed by Beijing-based startup Lingkong Tianxing Technology, this cutting-edge aircraft underscores China’s accelerating dominance in aerospace innovation.
Mach 4 Marvel: Key Specs & Breakthroughs
The 7-meter-long drone, weighing 1.5 tonnes, aims to soar at 12.4 miles (20 km) above ground level, where thinner air reduces drag and allows it to hit blistering speeds. Key features include:
- Detonation Wave Engines: A propulsion system that burns fuel through self-sustaining explosions, enabling sustained hypersonic speeds.
- Reduced Sonic Boom: Flying at extreme altitudes minimizes disruptive noise for people on the ground.
- Commercial Ambitions: Plans to adapt the drone for passenger travel, though capacity remains undisclosed.
Lingkong Tianxing confirmed a test flight is scheduled for 2025, with a larger passenger aircraft capable of carrying “hundreds” expected by 2030, pending the Monkey King’s success.
Why It Matters: Supersonic Travel 2.0
The Monkey King isn’t just a military asset—it’s part of China’s push to revive supersonic passenger travel, a market abandoned after the Concorde’s 2003 retirement. By addressing the Concorde’s pitfalls (noise, cost, and emissions), China aims to shrink global flight times dramatically:
- New York to London in 2 hours (vs. 7+ hours today).
- Beijing to Dubai in 3 hours (vs. 8+ hours).
Chief engineer Deng Fan emphasized the project’s long-term vision: “This is the foundation for a new era of high-speed aviation. The future is not just supersonic—it’s hypersonic.”
China’s Aerospace Power Play 
The Monkey King joins a fleet of advanced projects cementing China’s aerospace ambitions:
- “White Emperor” Fighter Jet: A sixth-gen “space-air” aircraft capable of operating up to 25,000 meters, part of the secretive Project Nantianmen.
- CH-YH1000 Cargo Drone: Dubbed the “pickup truck of the sky,” this autonomous UAV can carry 1 tonne of cargo, recently completing taxi tests.
These initiatives mirror China’s strategic response to U.S. programs like the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD), aiming to dominate both commercial and military aerospace.
Challenges Ahead
While the Monkey King’s specs are impressive, hurdles remain:
- Regulatory Hurdles: Supersonic flights over land are banned globally due to sonic booms.
- Safety & Cost: Scaling detonation engines for passenger use requires massive investment.
- Global Competition: U.S. startups like Boom Supersonic are also racing to revive Mach 1.7+ travel.
The Bottom Line
China’s Monkey King drone isn’t just a technological flex—it’s a bold statement in the global hypersonic race. If successful, it could redefine air travel, making “faster-than-sound” the new normal.