Fang Daining

Fang Daining, a prominent and sometimes controversial figure in China's hypersonic weapons research, has died at the age of 68. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the nation's premier research institution, confirmed his death in an obituary released on Tuesday, stating he passed away on February 27 due to illness. Fang held the esteemed position of CAS member, China's highest academic title in science and technology. His death gained attention recently as an obituary notice began circulating on Chinese social media, sparking early online discussions that included claims of an unexpected medical incident. As a key scientist in China's hypersonic weapons program, Fang's contributions were significant, making his passing a notable event in the field of advanced military technology.