Key facts
- China's Academy of Sciences is researching low-altitude hypersonic flight technology.
- The program aims to develop missiles that fly close to the sea surface at speeds exceeding Mach 5.
- This technology could reduce radar detection and enhance air defense penetration.
- The research is being conducted by top-tier institutes including the Institute of Mechanics.
China has initiated a research program focused on low-altitude hypersonic flight, a development that could present a significant challenge to the U.S. Navy. The program, spearheaded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and involving leading research institutions, aims to explore technologies that would enable missiles to travel at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound while skimming just above the sea surface.