Feitian 2: Why is China’s hypersonic breakthrough alarming India and the West

Northwestern Polytechnical University announced on Monday it successfully conducted a flight test of its Feitian 2 hypersonic vehicle at a site in northwestern China.

In what experts call a potentially game-changing development, China has successfully tested its latest hypersonic craft, the ‘Feitian 2’, at a site in northwest China. The experimental vehicle, reportedly capable of reaching Mach 12 speeds (around 14,800 kmph), marks a significant leap in Beijing’s hypersonic ambitions and has sparked fresh concerns among US and allied defence circles.

Here’s why the ‘Feitian 2’ is being closely watched, and why it matters more than most might realise.

What is Feitian 2? A next-gen hypersonic craft

Developed by the Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) – an institution already under US sanctions – Feitian 2 is an experimental, reusable hypersonic craft powered by a sophisticated propulsion system known as a rocket-based combined cycle (RBCC) engine.

Unlike most hypersonic missiles that rely on liquid oxygen, Feitian 2 uses a kerosene and hydrogen peroxide fuel mix. This combination eliminates the need for complex cryogenic cooling systems, cutting down weight and improving energy efficiency. It also allows the craft to use atmospheric oxygen while flying at extreme altitudes – a longstanding technical challenge that Chinese scientists now claim to have cracked.

According to Chinese media and researchers involved, Feitian 2 successfully demonstrated transitions between multiple propulsion modes, including takeoff ejector and ramjet; autonomous flight with variable angle of attack; thrust control and geometry changes mid-flight; and stability enhancements via larger tail fins and wing modifications.

This was the first time real-world flight data was collected for an RBCC engine using this type of fuel, according to the NPU-led team.

Why the West is worried

While hypersonic missile development is accelerating globally, China’s ability to build and test a reusable platform at such scale, and to integrate advanced autonomous capabilities, is what makes ‘Feitian 2’ a red flag for military planners in Washington, Tokyo, and New Delhi.

US experts fear China may now be ahead in the hypersonic race, having built on American research while leaping ahead with fewer regulatory or budgetary constraints. The successful test suggests:

• Faster turnaround between missions due to reusability
• Higher payload capacity and better fuel economy
• Potential future use in hypersonic drones, strike vehicles, or manned military aircraft
• Serious complications for missile defense systems, as Mach 12 speeds and unpredictable trajectories render interception nearly impossible

NPU’s sanctions and global concerns

The achievement is all the more striking because it comes from an institution under US sanctions. Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) is blacklisted for military-linked research. Students from NPU often face rejection when applying for US visas. Yet, despite these limitations, its engineers have achieved what many countries have struggled to do: demonstrate a working RBCC system in real-world conditions.

This raises urgent questions:

• Are current sanctions ineffective in limiting Chinese military innovation?
• How much of China’s progress is built on dual-use technologies sourced—legally or otherwise—from abroad?
• And most importantly: Is the West prepared for a future where China dominates not only in quantity but in quality of hypersonic weaponry?