China, Russia, the US and even North Korea have already tested hypersonic missile technology. The Russian armed forces even used the so-called Kinshah missile in the war in Ukraine. Now France is also open to this group of states. The Ministry of Defense in Paris announced on Tuesday that the hypersonic glider VMaX has successfully passed a test flight with a sounding missile.
The “launcher” was shot down Monday from a base south of Bordeaux in western France. In the evening sky, the glider’s contrail, which runs in knotted lines and does not follow a linear trajectory, caused a stir (see tweet below).
The state arms procurement agency DGA published a graphical representation of the missile on its Twitter page (see below) and thanked the team that “worked on this test and is involved in the program on a daily basis”.
Supposedly able to outsmart opponents’ intercept abilities
The glider can reach speeds of more than 6,000 kilometers per hour, reports the newspaper Le Figaro. With this speed and maneuverability, the glider could outsmart the intercept capabilities of enemy defenses.
The US, China, North Korea and Russia are already engaged in the arms race with such a hypersonic weapon. Launched in 2019, the French hypersonic program is led by ArianeGroup, which also produces Ariane launchers.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
