The Chinese air force is deploying a new hypersonic airborne missile aimed at increasing its offensive capabilities, according to reports.
The weapon is an improved version of the Changjian missile series and has a greater range, sources told The South China Morning Post.
Hypersonic weapons can travel at five times the speed of sound – Mach 5 and faster – covering vast distances in minutes. The speeds would enable them to penetrate air defence systems worldwide.
The weapon is an improved version of the Changjian missile series and has a greater range, sources told The South China Morning Post.
Hypersonic weapons can travel at five times the speed of sound – Mach 5 and faster – covering vast distances in minutes. The speeds would enable them to penetrate air defence systems worldwide.
"The Changjian-20 has been around for more than a decade. As other countries are racing to develop more and more advanced defence systems and other hypersonic weapons, it was time for the Chinese air force to have an upgraded missile to boost its attack range," the military source said.