Explained: China’s hypersonic glide vehicle test

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A Report in the London-based Financial Times on Saturday, citing various sources, said China in August tested a nuclear glide hypersonic vehicle that surrounded the world before speeding up the target. Hypersound speed is 5 or more times the speed of sound.

Test, as reported

The FT report said five people who were familiar with the test said the Chinese military launched a rocket carrying a hypersonic glide vehicle, which flew through a low orbite room before sailing towards the target. The test has surprised us, the report said.

“The missile missed its target of around two dozen miles, according to three briefs about intelligence. But two said the test showed that China had made a surprising progress on hypersonic weapons and was far more advanced than US officials realized. This test has raised new questions about why The US often underestimates the modernization of the Chinese military, “the report reported.

The report quoted a security official, and other Chinese security experts close to the People’s Liberation Forces, said the weapon was being developed by China Academy Aerospace Aerodinamika (CAAA), under China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation made a missile and rocket system for Chinese space programs . Both sources were reported to say the vehicle was launched on rockets throughout March, which was used for space programs.

Significance

According to the report, two people who are familiar with the test said the weapon could, in theory, fly over the south pole. It will lead to a big challenge for the US military because the missile defense system is focused on the North Pole route.

The report quoted the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology which told the official social media account on July 19 that he had launched a long 2C 2C rocket, 77th launch. On August 24, it announced the 79th flight. But there was no announcement of the 78th launch, which triggered speculation about the secret launch, report records.

“The US, Russia and China all developed hypersonic weapons, including sliding vehicles launched into space on rockets but orbiting the earth under their own momentum,” said the report.

Drdo India tested hypersonic vehicles in September last year. Asked about Chinese tests, a Senior Drdo scientist said, “Definite details about the technology used by China in this special test are not known through media sources. But most hypersonic vehicles mainly use scramjet technology. This very complex technology, which also needs to be able to Handling high temperatures, making hypersonic systems are very expensive. It’s all about how long you can maintain the system in the extreme condition. Most of the military power in the world is in the process of developing a hypersonic system. “

Scramjets is a machine category designed to handle speed air flow in multiples of sound speed.

Implications for India

“This test by China certainly needs to be watched carefully by the world, especially India considering relations with China in the past recently,” said Marshal Air Bhushan Gokhale (RETD), former deputy head of the air staff. “Such ability also highlights threats for our space assets along with surface assets. The violation system that operates at this speed means the requirement to develop a defense system at this speed.”