South Korea says first test of self-developed hypersonic glide vehicle succeeded
In short
South Korea's presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, said on October 8 that the country's self-developed hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) succeeded in its first test launch that day, with President Lee Jae-myung watching on site. The test was meant to verify ultra-high-temperature heat-resistant materials in a hypersonic flight environment, guidance and control, and low-altitude irregular flight; the vehicle separated at its target altitude and completed its flight as planned.
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South Korea's presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, said on October 8 that a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) developed by South Korea itself succeeded in its first test launch that day, and that President Lee Jae-myung watched the launch on site. Xinhua reported from Seoul that presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung (姜由桢) released the news in a written briefing. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to the presidential office, the test was meant to verify the performance of ultra-high-temperature heat-resistant materials in a hypersonic flight environment, as well as guidance and control capability and low-altitude irregular flight capability. In Xinhua's account of the briefing, the test was the first verification of these capabilities in a hypersonic flight environment. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Jiemian and Xinhua reported that the vehicle rose to its target altitude, separated successfully and completed its flight as planned. Xinhua added, citing the briefing, that no anomalies occurred during the whole flight. [ 2 , 3 ]
The briefing said hypersonic glide vehicles have unpredictable flight trajectories and overwhelming flight speed, can strike major strategic targets in an emergency, and are a "core strategic asset that can change the battlefield landscape", Xinhua reported. It said Lee heard reports at the site and said the government would further raise the technical level of hypersonic glide vehicles. He also asked for faster development and deployment of the vehicle. [ 3 ]
Jiemian and Xinhua explained that a hypersonic glide vehicle uses a booster to accelerate up to the upper atmosphere, separates from it and then glides at a lower altitude. The reports carried by 36Kr and Jiemian were credited to CCTV News. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
According to Xinhua's account of the presidential office briefing, the office described hypersonic glide vehicles as a core strategic asset able to strike major strategic targets in an emergency, and Lee asked for faster development and deployment. Chinese official, business and tech outlets all reported the test on the same day.
Key facts
- Cheong Wa Dae said on October 8 that South Korea's self-developed hypersonic glide vehicle succeeded in its first test launch that day. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- President Lee Jae-myung watched the test launch on site. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The test aimed to verify the performance of ultra-high-temperature heat-resistant materials in a hypersonic flight environment, guidance and control capability, and low-altitude irregular flight capability. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The vehicle rose to its target altitude, separated successfully and completed its flight as planned. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung (姜由桢) announced the result in a written briefing, Xinhua reported. [ 3 ]
- The briefing called hypersonic glide vehicles a "core strategic asset that can change the battlefield landscape". [ 3 ]
- Lee said the government would further raise the technical level of hypersonic glide vehicles and asked for faster development and deployment. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- South Korea's self-developed hypersonic glide vehicle succeeded in its first test launch on October 8, according to Cheong Wa Dae. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- President Lee Jae-myung watched the test launch on site. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The test aimed to verify heat-resistant materials in hypersonic flight, guidance and control, and low-altitude irregular flight. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The vehicle separated after reaching its target altitude and completed its flight as planned. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Where the test launch took place. None of the documents gives a launch site.
- The vehicle's speed, range and flight altitude. The documents give no figures for the test flight.
- Lee's remarks and the description of the vehicle as a core strategic asset. Only Xinhua's report of the presidential office briefing carries these points.