China reportedly tests new ballistic weapon that flies under radar
chinatopwin
chinatopwin
2018-01-02 09:36:04
A US government source told The Diplomat this week that China has conducted flight tests of a
missile equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). Two tests of the HGV, a model known as
the DF-17, took place in November and China is understood to have conducted a number of other
tests of experimental HGVs throughout 2014 and 2016. The DF-17 is thought to have a range of
between 1,800 and 2,500 kilometers and represents a new kind of weapon system, one that the
US and Russia are also developing.
HGVs are similar to traditional ballistic missile systems in that they can deliver a payload, be it
HGVs are similar to traditional ballistic missile systems in that they can deliver a payload, be it
conventional or nuclear, to a distant target. But HGVs fly at lower altitudes than typical ballistic
missiles, meaning existing missile defense systems might initially miss them since those defense
systems typically scan higher altitudes. There's a functional tradeoff, however, because when
HGVs start to descend, they fly much slower than traditional ballistic missiles. Some defense
systems will likely be able to take HGVs into account with a few upgrades. However, countries
with less developed defense technology might not be able to deal with this new type of weapon
as easily.
The source told The Diplomat that the DF-17 is expected to be put into operation in 2020.
The source told The Diplomat that the DF-17 is expected to be put into operation in 2020.