China has become the latest country to successfully test fire a hypersonic missile, it has been claimed.
A Chinese J-16 strike fighter test-fired the giant missile earlier this month, successfully destroying the target drone at a very long range, according to Popular Science.
Its experts analysed pictured of the launch, and concluded the missile was 19 feet long, and roughly 13 inches in diameter, meaning it could hit targets up to 300 miles away.
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In November 2016, a Chinese J-16 strike fighter test-fired the giant missile, successfully destroying the target drone at a very long range, according to Popular Science.
‘This is a big deal,’ wrote Jeffrey Lin and P.W. Singer.
‘This missile would easily outrange any American (or other NATO) air-to-air missile.’
The pair analysed photos of a J16 taking off with two of the very long range air to air missile (VLRAAM)
‘Reports are that the size would put into the category of a very long range air to air missile (VLRAAM) with ranges exceeding 300 km (roughly 186 miles), likely max out between 250 and 310 miles.’
‘Additionally, the VLRAAM’s powerful rocket engine will push it to Mach 6 speeds, which will increase the no escape zone (NEZ), that is the area where a target cannot outrun the missile, against even supersonic targets like stealth fighters,’ they said.