Newspaper financial times He writes on the basis of a number of sources that in August China launched a missile capable of commanding a nuclear warhead.
The missile traveled around the world at a low altitude before reaching its target, which missed it by about 30 kilometers.
The sources told the newspaper that the missile was launched by a Long March missile. These launches are usually announced, but in this case there was no announcement.
In addition to China, the United States, Russia and at least five other countries are developing hypersonic technology.
Several media outlets, including Reuters, have attempted to obtain comment from the Chinese Defense Ministry without success.
Five times the speed of sound
Hypersonic missiles, such as ballistic missiles, can carry nuclear weapons and move at five times the speed of sound.
But unlike ballistic missiles that go in a high arc into space, hypersonic missiles can fly low in the atmosphere and thus reach their target faster. It is also very maneuverable, which makes tracking it more difficult.
Surprise in the United States
While countries like the United States have developed defense systems against cruise and ballistic missiles, no methods have been developed to track and defend hypersonic missiles.
The Chinese test took place at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and China, among other things regarding China’s intensification of its military activity near Taiwan.
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