China Tested Hypersonic Missile In Orbit, Financial Times Says

China conducted a new space test with a hypersonic missile in orbit, reported this Saturday the Financial Times (FT).

The article, which cites sources who were aware of the test, indicates that Beijing launched a nuclear-capable missile in August that circled the Earth in low orbit before descending toward its target, from which it dropped to more than 32. kilometers away, according to three sources.

FT sources said the hypersonic glider was carried by a Long March rocket, the launches of which are generally announced, while the August test was kept secret.

The progress of China into hypersonic weapons “It took US intelligence by surprise,” according to the article.

In addition to ChinaThe United States, Russia, and at least five other countries are working on hypersonic technology.

Hypersonic missiles, like traditional ballistic missiles that can carry nuclear weapons, can fly at more than five times the speed of sound.

Ballistic missiles fly high in space in an arc to hit their target, while a hypersonic missile takes a trajectory low in the atmosphere, potentially hitting its target faster.

A hypersonic missile is maneuverable, which makes it more difficult to track and counter.

Countries like the United States have developed systems designed to defend against cruise and ballistic missiles, but the ability to track and shoot down a hypersonic missile is unknown.

China has developed the technology in an offensive way, considering it crucial to defend against US advances in hypersonic and other technologies, according to a recent report from the US Congressional Research Service (CRS).

The test reported this Saturday comes at a time when tensions between the United States and China have intensified and Beijing has accentuated military activities near Taiwan, the autonomous democracy aligned with Washington that China seen as a province awaiting reunification.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment on the Financial Times article.