US General Mark Milley said last summer’s test of a hypersonic missile by China was “extremely concerning”. In an interview with Bloomberg, Milley described the missile test as “almost a Sputnik moment,” referring to the Soviet Union’s 1957 launch of the Sputnik satellite, which sparked the Cold War arms race.
I read in some newspaper that the term Sputnik moment was used. I don’t know if the Sputnik moment is real, but I think it’s very close to that. A very important technological event has taken place and is receiving our full attention.”
Business Financial Times It was reported earlier this month based on insiders that China was going to test a hypersonic missile that would offer new capabilities in the nuclear field. It is said that the missile orbited the Earth in August before landing on its target.
So far, the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) has refused to comment on the incident. In the interview, Milley says the Chinese military is “expanding rapidly”. The Chinese authorities deny conducting a missile test and talk about a “reusable spacecraft for peaceful purposes.” A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment further on Milley’s comment on Wednesday.
Hypersonic missiles can be equipped with nuclear weapons and travel five times faster than sound. Unlike ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles fly in low-atmospheric orbits, which allows them to reach their target faster.
In addition to China, the United States, Russia and at least five other countries are developing hypersonic technology. Currently, countries are less able to defend themselves against hypersonic missiles than other missiles.
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