Science Alert August 8, 2018
The wedge-shaped Xingkong-2 (Starry Sky-2) hypersonic experimental waverider vehicle can reportedly achieve a top speed six times the velocity of sound. During the recent test the max speed was reportedly Mach 6 or 4,600 miles per hour (7,400 km/h), according to the state-run China Daily. The vehicle made several high-altitude and large-angle maneuvers at a maximum altitude of a little over 18 miles. The aircraft then landed in the targeted area as intended. The speed, as well as the unpredictable flight trajectories, of these vehicles make them particularly difficult for existing defence systems to intercept… read more.