Chinese missile failed, but America upset: China's hypersonic missile missed the target, but the American defense system failed to detect it

Posted on 18th Oct 2021 by rohit kumar

In August, China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile. According to a media report, this test missile of China failed to hit its target, but this effort has surprised American intelligence agencies.

America's missile defense system could not detect the missile, because the American system can catch only ballistic and cruise missiles. It is not designed to detect hypersonic missiles.

The Financial Times, in its report citing sources, said on Saturday that the Long March rocket, launched by the Chinese military, was carrying a hypersonic glide vehicle, which after reaching low space orbit, orbited the Earth rapidly to reach its target. Moved to the side, However, this hypersonic missile fell about 32 km from the target. China has kept this test completely confidential.

Worry increased even after failing
Despite the failure of the test, it has been confirmed that China is getting closer to developing hypersonic missile technology. A source who gave details of intelligence in the report said the test showed that China had made significant progress in developing hypersonic weapons and was far ahead of what the US had about itself.

very difficult to track

Like normal ballistic missiles carrying nuclear warheads, hypersonic missiles also fly at least 5 times faster than the speed of sound (1235 km/h), or about 6200 km/h. This missile has both cruise and ballistic missile properties. Ballistic missiles usually move towards the target after going very high in the sky.

But the hypersonic missile hits the target in a short time without being caught by the radar at a high speed by touching a lower altitude than that. Compared to ballistic missiles, its target can be changed even after take-off. This makes it extremely difficult to track and avoid, which makes it extremely dangerous.

American defense system will fail
If China is successful in making this missile, then it will endanger the missile defense systems of America and Japan. These defense systems are designed to defend against conventional ballistic and cruise missiles.

The ability of these systems to track and defend against hypersonic missiles is still under question. China presented a model of the hypersonic missile, which is named "DF-17", at its annual parade in 2019.

Test is done amidst increasing tension
China has conducted the hypersonic missile test at a time when tensions between it and the US are deepening over many other issues including Taiwan. However, the Ministry of Defense of China has not answered the question asked about this test.

US Defense Department Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said he would not comment on the report. However, he also said that we have been consistently articulating our concerns about China's military capabilities, which only increase tensions in the region. That is why we see China as the number one challenger.

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