China has successfully tested its first hypersonic missile delivery vehicle capable of penetrating US missile defense system and delivering nuclear warheads with record breaking speeds, Pentagon officials have confirmed.
The new hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), dubbed the WU-14 was allegedly spotted flying at record-breaking speeds during a flight test over China on January 9, an anonymous Pentagon official told the Washington Free Beacon.
The new weapon delivery system is reportedly designed to be launched as the final stage of China’s intercontinental ballistic missile, which would approach its target at a velocity of up to 10 times the speed of sound. Hypersonic speed range lies between Mach 5 and Mach 10, or 3,840 to 7,680 miles per hour.
More background here ...
RT NetWork Article : WU-14 HGV Test
Article also quoted in The Times today ...
It would seem China has progressed it's development programme quicker than originally predicted by the US ... however vehicle "control" at these speeds (up to Mach 10) is still a challenge for all Countries (US, India and Russia) currently exploring this technology.
Good job we're cutting back our Defence Spending then
Coff.