China Tests New Ballistic Missile ‘DF-17’ With Hypersonic Gliders

  • Our Bureau
  • 08:47 AM, December 28, 2017
  • 8039
China Tests New Ballistic Missile ‘DF-17’ With Hypersonic Gliders
China Tests New Ballistic Missile ‘DF-17’ With Hypersonic Gliders

China has reportedly carried out first series of tests of a new ballistic missile equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), The Diplomat reports, citing a U.S. government source.

As part of recent intelligence assessments on the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF), the source said that two tests were taken place last month on a new missile dubbed DF-17. The first test took place on November 1 and the second test took place on November 15.

 The DF-17, which is thought to be a medium-range system, made an impact at a range of approximately 1,400 kilometers with the HGV flying at a depressed altitude of around 60 kilometers following the completion of the DF-17’s ballistic and reentry phases, according to the report.

HGVs begin powered flight after separating from their ballistic missile boosters, which follow a standard ballistic trajectory to give the payload vehicle sufficient altitude.

The HGV payload was specifically designed for the DF-17, the source was quoted as saying, while noting that parts of the U.S. intelligence community assess that the DF-17 is heavily based on the PLARF’s DF-16B short-range ballistic missile, which is already deployed.

“The missile is explicitly designed for operational HGV implementation and not as a test bed,” the source said, describing U.S. intelligence assessments of the DF-17. This was “the first HGV test in the world using a system intended to be fielded operationally,” the source added.

As per the report, the DF-17 is expected to reach initial operating capability around 2020.

Outside these missiles, China has conducted seven known tests of experimental hypersonic glide vehicles, between 2014 and 2016. 

Also Read

China Unveils Cybersecurity Innovation Center

December 28, 2017 @ 08:46 AM

China-made AG600 Amphibious Aircraft Completes Maiden Flight

December 24, 2017 @ 04:26 AM

Qatari Army Unveils New China-made Short-range Ballistic Missile System

December 21, 2017 @ 09:36 AM
FEATURES/INTERVIEWS
© 2024 DefenseMirror.com - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED