Technical challenge and white smoke… France tested a first hypersonic glider

2023-06-27 13:23:43

The General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) carried out a test firing of a sounding rocket on June 26, 2023 at 10 p.m. from the Biscarrosse site of DGA missile tests. “This rocket carried the VMaX hyperspeed glider demonstrator. This first demonstrator contained many on-board technological innovations, evokes the Ministry of the Armed Forces. Its flight test, on a very demanding long-range trajectory, constituted an unprecedented technical challenge which prepares the future of our national hypervelocity roadmap”.

On social networks, testimonies have multiplied since Monday evening on the strange traces of smoke in the sky. These arabesques have been seen throughout the south-west of France, from the Atlantic coast to the department of Hérault, as well as in northern Spain. Many photos and videos have been posted in La Rochelle, Dordogne, Toulouse or western Hérault, and describe strange traces of smoke in the sky.

For those looking for a simple explanation for the test (probable, we are waiting for confirmation) of a hypersonic glider visible throughout the south west and as far as Spain this Monday evening, here is the diagram ⬇️ #VMAX pic.twitter.com/yTQ49M20Bi

— Thomas Schumacher (@PaxAquitania) June 26, 2023

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“The technical analyzes of the numerous data recovered throughout the duration of the test are in progress to draw lessons for the rest of the experimental flights”, resumes the ministry.

France wants to enter a very closed club

France becomes the fifth nation to launch this type of weapon (after Russia, the United States, China and North Korea). It aims to enter the very closed club of countries with the capabilities to, thanks to the speed and maneuverability of these machines, thwart the interception capabilities of opposing defenses.

In March 2019, Joël Barre, General Delegate for Armaments, confirmed to the Echos France’s desire to acquire this type of armament, initially announced for 2021 by the Minister at the time, Florence Parly. The project for the first hypersonic glider for the French army dates back to… 1965. It was finally abandoned in 1970, recalls the site military area.