China has disclosed the first images of secret hypersonic strike aircraft that are being developed to deliver nuclear warheads through U.S. missile defenses. State-run CCTV on Oct. 8 broadcast images of four different vehicles or missiles that U.S. intelligence agencies believe are mockups of hypersonic strike vehicles, including one known as DF-ZF. It is the first time images of the hypersonic aircraft were made public. The Free Beacon first reported China’s initial flight test of the hypersonic glider in January
2014. Since then, six other flight tests have been carried out in what U.S. intelligence officials believe is a high-priority weapons program for the Chinese. China’s Defense Ministry confirmed the first flight test nearly four years ago but sought to play down the arms development. “Our planned scientific research tests conducted in our territory are normal,” the ministry said in the statement. “These tests are not targeted at any country and at any specific goals.” MORE
