China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August, showing ability that took US intelligence to surprise, the Financial Times reported. The report on Sunday said that the Chinese military launched a rocket carrying a hypersonic glide vehicle that flew through low-orbit space, encircling the Earth before aiming towards its target, which it missed by about 2 dozen miles.
“The test showed that China had made astounding progress on hypersonic weapons and was far more advanced than US officials realised,” the report said.
During a 2019 parade, China showcased advancing weaponry including its hypersonic missile, known as the DF-17.
The US and Russia are also developing hypersonic missiles, and last month North Korea said it had test-fired a newly-developed hypersonic missile.
