On the test of the PRC hypersonic glider referring to a source in the US government said the publication The Diplomat. According to available information, the tests were held on November 1 and 15. It's about launching medium-range missiles DF-17, equipped with hypersonic planning gliders, writes naked-science.

The source also told about some details. According to him, the DF-17 missile launched on November 1 overcame a distance of 1,400 km. At the same hypersonic aircraft, which it was equipped with, overcame 60 km at low altitude. According to available data, tests of the new system were successful. Weapons hit targets with extreme accuracy. The complex can be adopted as early as 2020.

Glider HGV begins flight after separation from the ballistic missile, by means of which the hypersonic apparatus is displayed at the required altitude. The DF-17 missile itself, according to US intelligence estimates, is a medium-range missile with a range of up to 2,500. km. The DF-17 can carry a nuclear and non-nuclear warhead, and also act as a carrier for a hypersonic aircraft (this was the variant that was tested on November 1 and 15). According to experts, it is the elimination of HGV is the main goal for a ballistic missile. As one of the possible goals for the glider itself is called air defense systems.

In the US, it is believed that the DF-17 complex was based on the DF-16B short-range missile. It is assumed that from 2014 to 2016, the PRC has already carried out seven trials of hypersonic planning aircraft. Thus, China has all chances to become the first power that will put into operation such complexes.

It has long been known that the development of new hypersonic weapons is not only in China, but also in the US and Russia. Recall that in October the US Navy tested the Prompt Global Strike (PGS) initiative with a promising hypersonic missile. In the foreseeable future, the United States intends to obtain a system that will make it possible to strike a high-precision strike practically anywhere in the world for an extremely short period of time. Thus, this hypersonic weapon will complement the modern strategic nuclear arsenal.