China’s DF-17 missile can reach Low Earth Orbit (Chinese Ministry of Defense)
Warzone/The Drive: China's Mysterious Hypersonic Weapon Can Stay In Orbit According To Space Force General
The ability to keep a nuclear-armed hypersonic glide vehicle in orbit for a prolonged period of time makes for a far more unpredictable threat.
A senior U.S. Space Force officer has stressed that China's new hypersonic weapon system is indeed orbital in nature and could be able to stay in space for an extended period of time. This is the latest piece of official information about this novel system that reportedly uses some kind of hypersonic glider, which may be capable of launching its own projectiles to actually execute a strike.
Space Force Lieutenant General Chance Saltzman, the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, responded to questions about this new Chinese strategic weapon during an online event hosted by the Air Force Association's Mitchell Institute earlier today. Saltzman, who transitioned from the Air Force to the Space Force last year, "has overall responsibility for Operations, Intelligence, Sustainment, Cyber, and Nuclear Operations of the United States Space Force," according to the service's website.
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WNU Editor: Space Force Lieutenant General Chance Saltzman appears to be adding details to this intel report .... China’s Missile Program Far Exceeds The Capability Demonstrated By US, Russia So Far – US Intelligence Report (EurAsian Times).
Update: China views this focus on its hypersonic missile program as overblown .... China says its an 'imaginary enemy' of US, claims hypersonic missile test was 'routine' (FOX News).
Top Space Force General Says China's Hypersonic Weapon Can Stay In Orbit For A Prolonged Period Of Time
China's Hypersonic Vehicle Can 'Park' In Orbit, Warns a Space Force Official -- Interesting Engineering
US Space Force Raises Alarm Over China's 'Orbital Hypersonic Weapons America Can't Combat' -- Sputnik
It’s a FOBS, Space Force’s Saltzman confirms amid Chinese weapons test confusion -- Breaking Defense