Why it is in news?
- China on Monday announced that it has successfully tested its first hypersonic aircraft which could carry nuclear warheads and penetrate any current generation anti-missile defence systems, seen as a breakthrough in developing weapons.
More on news?
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The Xingkong-2 or Starry Sky-2, was launched in a target range located in Northwest China on Friday, the state-run China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics.
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Launched by a multi-stage rocket, China’s waverider was released in the air after about 10 minutes. It flew independently, made large-angle turning manoeuvres, and landed in the targeted area as planned.
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The flight vehicle reached 30 kms in altitude at Mach 5.5-6.
What is Hypersonic flight?
- Hypersonic flight is flight through the atmosphere below about 90km at speeds above Mach 5, a speed where dissociation of air begins to become significant and high heat loads exist.
Developing and proposed aircraft of India
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Avatar (spacecraft)
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Advanced Technology Vehicle
source
The Hindu,wikipedia