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Two seconds to 700 km/h: China sets new world record in superconducting maglev propulsion

China has set a new world record in superconducting electric maglev propulsion, accelerating a tonne-level test vehicle to 700 km/h in just two seconds. The breakthrough was achieved by a research team from the National University of Defense Technology on a 400-meter maglev test line. The result marks a major advance in ultra-high-speed electromagnetic propulsion and offers new technological possibilities for future maglev transportation and aerospace testing.

Quote from https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-12-25/C ... Ys0/p.html Accessed 2025-12-25

Note: There is a short video on the website.

On a 400-meter test line, the maglev team at the National University of Defense Technology achieved a maximum test speed of 700 km/h with a ton-scale load and ensured that the vehicle stopped safely.

Dedicated to maglev research for 10 years, the team has overcome core technical challenges such as ultra-high-speed electromagnetic propulsion, electric suspension guidance, transient high-power energy storage inverters, and high-field superconducting magnets.

This breakthrough [...] offers new methods for aerospace boost launches and experimental testing.

Source: China Daily https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202512/ ... 3071a.html Accessed 2025-12-25

maglev wrote: ↑

25. Dec 2025, 14:38

On a 400-meter test line, the maglev team at the National University of Defense Technology achieved a maximum test speed of 700 km/h with a ton-scale load and ensured that the vehicle stopped safely.

Dedicated to maglev research for 10 years, the team has overcome core technical challenges such as ultra-high-speed electromagnetic propulsion, electric suspension guidance, transient high-power energy storage inverters, and high-field superconducting magnets.

This breakthrough [...] offers new methods for aerospace boost launches and experimental testing.

Source: China Daily https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202512/ ... 3071a.html Accessed 2025-12-25

It is a shame Japan and China have different safety standards because the SC maglev achieved that in 1997.

China's 435-mph maglev test reveals what caution is costing the West

Researchers at China's National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) have accelerated a one-ton vehicle from a dead stop to 435 mph (700 km/h) in under two seconds – then back to zero mph on about a 1/4 mile (1,312 ft / 400 meter) magnetic levitation test track. It's not just fast – it's absurd. That makes it the quickest superconducting maglev acceleration ever demonstrated.

[...]

While a standing 0-435 mph standing start is impressive, it's by no means meant as a passenger experience. The g-forces alone wouldn't quite turn would-be passengers into Jell-O, but it puts it just beyond expert fighter pilot blackout territory at around 10 g. Surprisingly, the stop, as quick as it is, would only be around 5 g. Either way, it would make for a fun amusement park ride that you'll never remember.
[...]

But NUDT isn't stopping there. The eventual goal is to hit the 621 mph (1,000 km/h) mark, surpassing the typical 550-580 mph (885-933 km/h) that passenger planes generally cruise at. The system tested uses "high-temperature superconducting magnets" with electric superconducting coils on the sled that create a magnetic field that interacts with the track to create levitation. T

[...]

SCMP reported in its article implying other uses beyond passenger train technology, citing it could be used as assisted takeoff by significantly reducing the cost of getting rockets off the ground. Somewhat similar to Spinlaunch, in propelling objects vertically before requiring a staged rocket to complete the journey to orbit and beyond. Or the superconducting magnets could be used to emulate high-speed flight for testing specialized equipment.

Source: https://newatlas.com/transport/china-ma ... 2-seconds/ Accessed 2025-12-28

. .
Source: https://newatlas.com/transport/china-ma ... 2-seconds/ Accessed 2025-12-28

The Chinese airport has been slowed to 300km/h in my opinion due to subsidence.

Regarding spin launch it hasn't showed many results in three years.

Why dosn't China buy the proven SC maglev off Japan or at least drive between Melbourne and Sydney with their superior TBM experience.

The following image is an AI-generated fantasy depiction of the Chinese maglev speed record. The depiction has nothing to do with reality; it is completely misleading, dramatized, and technically grossly inaccurate. It is surprising that such fantasy representations are created and published when there are actual film footage and photos of the record-setting maglev sled ride.
. .
Source: https://clickpetroleoegas.com.br/wp-con ... fisica.jpg and
https://en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br/Chi ... -physics./ Accessed 2025-12-30

Source: The Independent
Original title:
Chinese bullet train breaks acceleration world record by going from 0 to 800kmph in 5 seconds
Author: Vishwam Sankaran
Date: August 12, 2026, 12:52 BST
Original language: English
Web link: https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/chin ... 31693.html
Accessed: August 12, 2026

An experimental Chinese maglev train broke its own world acceleration record, reaching 800 km/h from rest in just 5.3 seconds on a 1 km test track at Hubei province’s Donghu Laboratory.

Chinese researchers demonstrated not only extreme speed but also controlled braking: after accelerating to 800 km/h, the train achieved a smooth stop over approximately 200 m.

Maglev trains use magnetic force to lift above tracks, eliminating friction, while magnetic waves from track coils propel the vehicle forward. This paves the way for ultra-high-speed transportation.

[CN] Chinese Experimental Maglev Sets 800 km/h Record in 5.3 Seconds on 1 km Track

Source: RailwayPro
Original title:
Record set by an experimental maglev in China
Date: August 13, 2026
Original language: English
Web link: https://www.railwaypro.com/wp/record-se ... -in-china/
Accessed: August 13, 2026

An experimental Chinese maglev vehicle set a world record, accelerating from 0 to 800 km/h in just 5.3 seconds on a 1 km test track at Hubei’s Donghu Laboratory. The 1.11-tonne vehicle uses permanent magnet levitation and electromagnetic propulsion, reaching maximum speed at the 0.6 km mark before a controlled stop at the track’s end. The entire test lasted approximately eight seconds.

This achievement, on 24 November 2025, was the team’s third record in six months: 650 km/h (June 2025), 700 km/h (14 July 2025), and now 800 km/h. After reaching top speed, researchers spent a month verifying levitation stability at high speeds, speed control precision, and system efficiency and reliability. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h was achieved in less than 0.7 seconds.

The system eliminates mechanical contact, allowing very high speeds but posing complex challenges in stability, control, and power supply. Chinese researchers developed systems to maintain stability against aerodynamic disturbances, control linear motors, accurately detect the vehicle’s position, and enable rapid communication between vehicle and infrastructure. Track precision is extreme: deviation from straightness must be maintained at ±1 mm, and level differences between track fastenings are limited to less than 0.5 mm.

However, this platform is experimental and not intended for commercial passenger transport. The laboratory envisages applications for future very-high-speed maglev systems, electromagnetic test platforms, aerospace launches, and other systems requiring rapid acceleration to very high speeds.