France will soon launch a new hypersonic glider program. It will be fast enough to break most advanced aerial defense.
The first demonstrator should be able to make its first flight in 2021. Florence Parly, French minister of Defence and armies, announced it during her wishes to French forces. A new contract with ArianeSpace have been notified. French Space company will manage and develop the project under DGA supervision. This program is called V-Max.
"We decided to notify a contract for a new supersonic glider demonstrator. As many countries are currently acquiring one. We have all capabilities needed internally, we couldn't wait longer.." said Florence Parly
The demonstrator should be able to fly to a speed higher than Mach 5, which means more than 6000km/h. The goal behind this new kind of hypersonic weapon is to bypass missile defenses. Another advantage: pose a threaten of a potential nuclear or standard attack in a record time.
Research over hypersonic propulsion are already made by French armies. As an advantage compared to future ASN4G, it will be easier to manage and operate the glider direction. It will be by consequence more difficult to stop it.
In foreign countries, there are already test that have been realized over hypersonic weapon. China as an example already tested successfully its hypersonic glider that fly over Mach 6.
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