Displayed during the last Airshow China 2022 exhibition, China has unveiled a new, reusable, and near-space hypersonic technology UAV demonstrator with potential multi-mission applications. It has been designated as the MD-22. According to few sources available, it has been developed by the Key Laboratory of High Temperature Gas Dynamics of the Institute of Mechanics and the Guangdong Aerospace Research Academy (GARA), under the aegis of the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS). Imagery of the MD-22 shows that it features a single engine and a near- flat bottom design. It also shows a tricycle landing gear which indicates it is a reusable UAV and, according to the info released, it is credited of autonomous take-off and landing capabilities on conventional runways. The aircraft also has highly swept cropped delta wings, a V-tail, and respective trailing edge control surfaces with an engine inlet located in a ventral position. According to a banner of the MD-22 at the exhibition, available on Chinese social media, the UAV is 10.8 m long and about 4.5 m wide. It has a range of about 8,000 km. It has a take-off weight of about 4 t and a maximum load coefficient of 15%, a ratio of the average load to the maximum demand. It can be compatible with different thrusts, suitable for speeds between Mach 0 to 7. The UAV could take off autonomously, but it is more probable helped by a supportive rocket launch. At this stage, the UAV would mainly be used for a series of technical verification however no other information has been provided regarding the drone’s purpose or whether it could also have a striker role. However, it indicates the pace at which China is developing its hypersonic technology if not ahead, at the same level of its American and Russian counterparts. According to the defense media attending the expo, China has decided to exhibit an extensive collection of drones: the WING LOONG series armed drones, the CH-7 high-altitude long-endurance drone, the WZ-8 high-altitude high-speed reconnaissance drone, and for the first time, the WING LOONG-10 in an electronic warfare variant, and the Chinese loyal wingman, the FH-97A.

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