China advances supersonic passenger jet prototype, aiming for twice the speed of sound

China is developing a new supersonic passenger aircraft called the TMS-10, with a target speed of up to twice the speed of sound. Engineers from Beihang University and the Tianmu Shan Laboratory have begun building a demonstrator, and a 1:18 scale model performed its first flight in June 2025 from Canton airport, reaching Mach 0.2 to evaluate low-speed performance and control. The next phase involves a larger demonstrator designed to break the sound barrier, featuring a fuselage that aims to prevent shock-wave coalescence.

The aircraft is envisioned to carry 10-15 passengers for premium or business travel, potentially reducing one outlet 120-minute Shanghai-Beijing flight to about 30 minutes. Researchers note that translating the design to a full-scale passenger jet will require solutions for safety, thermal management and comfort. The effort places China among a small group of nations, including the United States, pursuing practical supersonic travel.