South Korea Tests Hypersonic Glide Vehicle

South Korea has conducted the first test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle.

The country’s presidential spokesperson announced the test, Yonhap reported.

The spokesperson stated that the launch marked an “important milestone” in South Korea’s efforts to develop a new deterrent.

The test aimed to verify key hypersonic technologies, including the vehicle’s flight trajectory and speed, which are necessary for developing strategic weapons.

“The hypersonic glide vehicle successfully separated from its launch vehicle and followed its planned flight trajectory without incident at hypersonic speed,” the spokesperson said.

According to the spokesperson, the test assessed the heat resistance of thermal protection materials, guidance and control systems, and the vehicle’s ability to perform unpredictable maneuvers at low altitudes.

Hypersonic glide systems use a launch vehicle to accelerate the glide vehicle and carry it into the upper atmosphere.
After separating from the launch vehicle, the glide vehicle travels at hypersonic speed while gliding at lower altitudes.

The official test location was not disclosed.

However, Yonhap reported that the launch took place at a test range near the city of Taean, about 130 kilometers south of Seoul.

Meanwhile, North Korea announced a successful hypersonic missile test in 2022, Militarnyi previously reported.