In today's heightened military tensions all around the globe, it is only practical that China ramps up its own military technology in order to keep up with the global standards. As such, China, along with some of the world's top superpowers, is ramping up their hypersonic weapons as the threat of a global arms war continue to escalate.
Recently, President Donald Trump's national security adviser John Bolton announced that they are seriously considering the possibility of withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. This decision has raised alarm all over the world causing concerns among major superpowers that the United States might be returning to an arms race mentality.
Considering this recent development, it would appear that China has had the initiative to work on some advanced technologies several years before. Over the past few years, China has stepped up its effort to develop a new kind of missile system. Military observers have noted that this new kind of missile system can fly faster and can reach farther targets that any missile system that is currently in existence.
Dubbed appropriately as hypersonic weapons, this futuristic military hardware can travel up to five times the speed of sound, and some believe it can even reach speeds way beyond that mark. This missile system has the capability of accurately hitting its target and it is also equipped with high-tech missile defense armaments. One of the system's key feature is its ability to penetrate deep into enemy territory without getting detected.
In 2017, major superpowers have started developing their own hypersonic weapons. In March, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that its military has successfully tested a hypersonic weapon which they call only as the Kinzhal, which is the Russian word for the dagger.
In China, the country's People's Liberation Army was reportedly working on a new hypersonic prototype called Starry Sky 2. According to a report from the country's official state media, during a successful test run the Starry Sky 2 reached a hypersonic speed of more than 4,000 miles per hour and it was able to fly at this speed for more than five minutes.
As for the United States, the country has also stepped up its research and development towards hypersonic technology. Key defense contractor Lockheed Martin was awarded $1.4 billion worth of contracts by the United States Air Force. Lockheed Martin was tasked to begin research and development of hypersonic weapons that have the capability of being launched while mid-air.
