Hypersonic missile

Hypersonic missile

Part of: Prelims and GS II – International Relations and GS III – Sci and tech 

Context North Korea has successfully tested a new hypersonic glide missile. 

What is a hypersonic missile?

• Hypersonics are defined as being able to travel at velocities of at least five times the speed of sound — Mach 5, or more than 6,100 kilometres (3,800 miles) per hour. 
• They can also manoeuvre in mid-flight, making them much harder to track and intercept than traditional projectiles.
• By cutting flight times, they also reduce the opportunity to respond.
• Depending on the design, they can be capable of carrying nuclear warheads or conventional only, and have the potential to alter the strategic balance.

Which countries possess them? 

• Russia, USA and China
• Russia is generally seen as the world leader in technology so far, developing a range of new hypersonic weapons that
• In July it successfully tested the Zircon, a ship-launched hypersonic missile travelling at seven times the speed of sound.
• It already has Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles and the air-launched Kinzhal (Dagger) missiles in its arsenal.