Chinese Aerospace Contractor Claims Significant Advancement in Superconducting Maglev Train Technology

Monday - February 5 2024, 12:50 UTC - 9 months ago

Chinese aerospace contractor CASIC has achieved a new speed record with its high-speed flier maglev train, surpassing previous records and marking a significant advancement in transportation technology. The train utilizes superconducting technology to achieve stable levitation and has potential applications in various fields. CASIC plans to further develop and test its maglev technology, with a goal of establishing a national-level transportation network by 2035.

A Chinese aerospace defense contractor has claimed to have achieved significant advancement with its superconducting maglev train technology, hinting at a potential leap forward in high-speed transportation systems. The company, the Third Academy of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) has set a new speed record with its innovative "high-speed flier," marking a significant milestone in the development of ultra-fast transportation, as reported by South China Morning Post (SCMP). In 2022, Chinese state media claimed that its engineers devised a test system capable of propelling a train to speeds of 1,000 kilometers per hour (621 mph) within a vacuum tube. This speed surpasses that of current maglev trains.

Stable levitation .

CASIC has yet to reveal the precise speed attained during the test, which remains undisclosed due to classification, even though the contractor asserts that the achievement represents a notable advancement. This milestone was reached as the maglev vehicle demonstrated stable levitation while traversing a low-vacuum tube, utilizing a full-scale 2km (1.2-mile) test line completed just a few months earlier in November, according to SCMP. CASIC's announcement indicates that the performance surpassed the previous known record set by a superconducting maglev vehicle, which reached 623km/hr (387mph) under non-vacuum conditions in October 2023. Before that, another test involving high-temperature superconducting maglev technology achieved 234km/hr (145mph) speeds on a 380-meter (1,250ft) track. This series of achievements underscores the company's dedication to pushing the boundaries of transportation technology and lays the groundwork for the potential realization of ultra-fast hyperloop trains, according to SCMP. Official reports confirm successful interaction between the vehicle, tube, and track during the test, ensuring stable levitation of the heavy maglev vehicles. The robust propulsion systems and safety controls operated as anticipated, validating their effectiveness. CASIC emphasized that these advancements have significantly enhanced the overall technical maturity of the system, establishing a sturdy technical groundwork for forthcoming higher-speed trials and the eventual construction of a national-level transportation network, according to SCMP. Advanced technology Utilizing superconducting maglev technology, the train achieves levitation, effectively eliminating friction as it traverses through the specially designed low-vacuum tube. The near-vacuum environment significantly reduces air resistance, facilitating "near-ground flight" at incredibly high velocities. Reports suggest that completion of the first phase of the test line underscores the importance of seamless transitions from levitation to motion, necessitating several integrations and safety checks. The primary structure of this phase comprises a platform featuring upper and lower structures shaped like "n" and "u" respectively, supporting tubular beams shaped like "nu," each measuring nearly 6 meters (20 feet) in diameter and 21 meters (69 feets) in length.