After mastering supersonic missiles, Taiwan is now moving towards hypersonic weapons. For this, it is engaged in developing scramjet technology. To deceive China, Taiwan has made supersonic anti-air and anti-ship missiles Sky Bow and Heisang Feng.
According to the Armaments Bureau on Scramjet Engines, Taiwan is engaged in creating and developing scramjet technology so that it can build up a stockpile of hypersonic weapons. It is also possible that Taiwan is building long-range missiles, which no one knows about because it also has the support of America.
The System Development Center of Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology has submitted a proposal for the National Defense Advanced Technology Program to the Armament Bureau. It talks about developing heat-resistant protection material and ignition and flame retention scramjet engines. That too within three years.
Due to their simple design and ability to fly at high altitudes, hypersonic weapons reach very high speeds. Maneuvering becomes easier. They become more lethal and faster than any supersonic or conventional ballistic missile. The enemy does not get time to stop them. The target is destroyed instantly.
Taiwan is planning to convert Yun Feng 2 missile to Ching Tien hypersonic missile. The project underway for this is named Feiji No. 2. After being made, this missile will be deployed in Taiwanese Air Force and Air Defense Command. So that a befitting reply can be given to China at any time.
What is a hypersonic weapon?
In common language, hypersonic weapon means a weapon that travels at a speed 5 times faster than the speed of sound. That is, a weapon that can fly in the air at a speed of 6115 km/hr or more. If this weapon flies at a speed of 1220 km/hr just above the sea, then it will be difficult to attack it.
The specialty of a hypersonic weapon is that it can fly at low altitudes. It can easily chase the target, even if the target is running away. That is, it chases and destroys its target. China’s DF-17 has the ability to fly at low altitudes. India’s Brahmos missile also has a similar capability.
DF-17 is a ballistic missile but it works like a hypersonic weapon because its front part is designed like a glider. Its front part has wings, which give it the power to glide at low altitude. It can destroy targets within a range of 1800-2000 kilometers.
How many types of hypersonic weapons are there?
There are mainly two types of hypersonic weapons. First- Glide Vehicles i.e. those that float in the air. Second- Cruise Missiles. Right now the world’s focus is on Glide Vehicles. A small missile is attached to the back of the vehicle. Then it is launched from the missile launcher. After covering a certain distance, the missile separates.
Glide vehicles easily attack the target by flying. These weapons usually have a scramjet engine, which flies fast using the oxygen present in the air. This gives it a fixed speed and height.
Which countries have hypersonic weapons?
China, America and Russia have the most advanced technology of hypersonic weapons. Apart from this, the countries that are developing these weapons are India, Japan, Australia, France, Germany and North Korea. China is likely to have two hypersonic weapons. One of which is DF-17 and the other is DF-ZF.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)