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RT by @mikenov: RT by @mikenov: China has developed hypersonic glide vehicles that can launch air-to-air weapons in flight, designed to destroy AWACS, tankers, and command aircraft at ranges of thousands of miles. The concept means China could threaten the airborne support aircraft that make US air campaigns possible without ever sending a fighter into contested airspace. This builds on a 2021 test where a Chinese hypersonic vehicle launched a secondary missile mid-flight, surprising US observers. China already fields the PL-17 “AWACS-killer” missile with 300-500 km range from fighters. An HGV-launched variant would extend that reach dramatically. Source: Bloomberg

China has developed hypersonic glide vehicles that can launch air-to-air weapons in flight, designed to destroy AWACS, tankers, and command aircraft at ranges of thousands of miles.

The concept means China could threaten the airborne support aircraft that make US air campaigns possible without ever sending a fighter into contested airspace.

This builds on a 2021 test where a Chinese hypersonic vehicle launched a secondary missile mid-flight, surprising US observers.

China already fields the PL-17 “AWACS-killer” missile with 300-500 km range from fighters.

An HGV-launched variant would extend that reach dramatically.

Source: Bloomberg