China has conducted a test of its
new hypersonic weapon. The test is the seventh successful test of the so-called
DF-ZF.
new hypersonic weapon. The test is the seventh successful test of the so-called
DF-ZF.
The test was carried out from the
Wuzhai missile test center in central China. Past DF-ZF weapons-previously
called WU-14 by the Pentagon-were aimed at inner Mongolia. The test was the
second major missile test in two weeks. On April 12th, a DF-41 intercontinental
ballistic missile was launched into the South China Sea.
Wuzhai missile test center in central China. Past DF-ZF weapons-previously
called WU-14 by the Pentagon-were aimed at inner Mongolia. The test was the
second major missile test in two weeks. On April 12th, a DF-41 intercontinental
ballistic missile was launched into the South China Sea.
The DF-ZF is what is known as a
Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGF). The DF-ZF is thought to be launched by a DF-21
intermediate range ballistic missile. Unlike a typical ballistic missile
warhead however, a hypersonic glide vehicle stops short of entering space and
glides through the atmosphere at speeds of between 4,000 and 7,000 miles an
hour.
Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGF). The DF-ZF is thought to be launched by a DF-21
intermediate range ballistic missile. Unlike a typical ballistic missile
warhead however, a hypersonic glide vehicle stops short of entering space and
glides through the atmosphere at speeds of between 4,000 and 7,000 miles an
hour.
A weapon traveling at such
blistering speeds could hit any place on Earth in less than an hour. The unique
flight profile of HGVs-not quite a ballistic missile and not quite a regular
air-launched missile-combined with its extremely high speed, makes them
difficult to intercept.
blistering speeds could hit any place on Earth in less than an hour. The unique
flight profile of HGVs-not quite a ballistic missile and not quite a regular
air-launched missile-combined with its extremely high speed, makes them
difficult to intercept.
The Washington Free Beacon
emphasizes Chinese HGVs as a first strike weapon. While theoretically possible,
China’s strategic nuclear arsenal consists of between 200 to 300
weapons-nowhere near enough to destroy America’s nuclear arsenal first even if
HGVs were used to “kick in the door” and destroy America’s
ground-based missile interceptors based in Alaska.
emphasizes Chinese HGVs as a first strike weapon. While theoretically possible,
China’s strategic nuclear arsenal consists of between 200 to 300
weapons-nowhere near enough to destroy America’s nuclear arsenal first even if
HGVs were used to “kick in the door” and destroy America’s
ground-based missile interceptors based in Alaska.
An operational Chinese hypersonic
weapon will likely be a conventional-not nuclear-one. A HGV weapon could, for example,
target Taiwanese air bases and air defenses, destroying them in minutes and
helping China gain air superiority over the breakaway island. Such a weapon
could even be used to target individual ships at sea, much like the DF-21D and
DF-26 “carrier killer” ballistic missiles.
weapon will likely be a conventional-not nuclear-one. A HGV weapon could, for example,
target Taiwanese air bases and air defenses, destroying them in minutes and
helping China gain air superiority over the breakaway island. Such a weapon
could even be used to target individual ships at sea, much like the DF-21D and
DF-26 “carrier killer” ballistic missiles.
China is not alone in developing
hypersonic weapons. The U.S. Air Force anticipates it will have hypersonic
weapons operational by the 2020s, likely based on experimental vehicles such as
the Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 and the X-51 WaveRider. There are reports
China is particularly concerned about U.S. development of hypersonics as they
could be used to target China’s modest nuclear arsenal without the need for the
U.S. to “go nuclear.”
hypersonic weapons. The U.S. Air Force anticipates it will have hypersonic
weapons operational by the 2020s, likely based on experimental vehicles such as
the Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 and the X-51 WaveRider. There are reports
China is particularly concerned about U.S. development of hypersonics as they
could be used to target China’s modest nuclear arsenal without the need for the
U.S. to “go nuclear.”
Russia is also developing
hypersonic weapons, having conducted a test just two weeks ago. The Russian
weapon used an SS-19 intercontinental ballistic missile as a booster and the
test was reportedly successful. Meanwhile, the Russian Navy anticipates putting
the Zircon anti-ship missile into production in 2018, which will be capable of
speeds of up to 3,800 to 4,600 miles an hour.
hypersonic weapons, having conducted a test just two weeks ago. The Russian
weapon used an SS-19 intercontinental ballistic missile as a booster and the
test was reportedly successful. Meanwhile, the Russian Navy anticipates putting
the Zircon anti-ship missile into production in 2018, which will be capable of
speeds of up to 3,800 to 4,600 miles an hour.
