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China’s NUDT Superconducting Maglev Hits 700 km/h in 2 Seconds to Set World Benchmark

Researchers say the sprint proves core maglev controls, with commercial use still distant.

Overview

  • State broadcaster CCTV released footage of a roughly one-tonne test vehicle blasting down a 400‑metre track and stopping safely.
  • CGTN and multiple outlets report the run as a new global benchmark for superconducting electric maglev systems.
  • Project leads say the test addressed ultra-high-speed propulsion, precision suspension and guidance, high‑power energy conversion, and high‑field superconducting magnets.
  • NUDT’s team has pursued the system for about a decade, building on a 648 km/h run on the same line earlier this year.
  • Researchers cite potential uses in vacuum‑pipeline transport and aerospace launch or equipment testing, while reports note infrastructure, safety, and cost hurdles delaying real‑world deployment.