China Surprises U.S. With Hypersonic Missile Test That Missed Target

China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August, showing a capability that caught US intelligence by surprise, the Financial Times reported, citing five unnamed sources, the Singapore-based Channel News Asia (CNA) reported.

Photo Insert: While initially mum on the matter, China later on denied having conducted the test.

The report late on Saturday (Oct. 16) said the Chinese military launched a rocket carrying a hypersonic glide vehicle that flew through low-orbit space, circling the globe before cruising towards its target, which it missed by about 24 miles.

"The test showed that China had made astounding progress on hypersonic weapons and was far more advanced than US officials realized," the report said, citing people briefed on the intelligence.

China's ministry of defense did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment from Reuters on Sunday.

The US and Russia are also developing hypersonic missiles, and last month North Korea said it had test-fired a newly-developed hypersonic missile.

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