China vs US: DF-ZF hypersonic missile system could defeat U.S. defenses - TomoNews

China successfully conducted a flight test this week of its DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle, according to a report in the Washington Free Beacon. The hypersonic vehicle was launched atop a ballistic missile from the Wuzhai missile test center in Shanxi Province and glided to an impact range in western China, several thousand miles away. The test was tracked by U.S. intelligence agencies, according to the report, which cites unnamed defense officials. The DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle is believed to be highly maneuverable and capable of flying at speeds of between Mach 5, and Mach 10, or between five and 10 times the speed of sound. It is thought to be under development to carry both nuclear and non-nuclear payloads. Because of the DF-ZF’s speed and maneuverability, intercepting it would be difficult for current U.S. defenses, which rely on satellite and ground radar to track and intercept missiles that travel along a predictable flight path. Richard Fisher, senior fellow at the Virginia-based International Assessment and Strategy Center, told the Taipei Times that the vehicle could potentially be used to attack U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. This latest launch is the sixth time China has conducted a flight test on the DF-ZF in the past year, the Washington Free Beacon reports. According to the 2015 U.S.-China Economic and Security Review report, the DF-ZF could be deployed by 2020. The DF-ZF was previously known as the Wu-14.