Thread by @GeorgeWHerbert

Brief explainer thread on the Chinese DF-17 Hypersonic Glide Vehicles and why they matter.

These puppies.
@nktpnd @ArmsControlWonk @divert_thruster @DuitsyWasHere etc
1/

If you follow North Korea a lot, you saw these only a month or two ago. 2/

Those are tagged KN-23 for now, until North Korea gives us their internal name.

Those are a hypersonic gliding steered maneuvering missile. Can change flightpaths and glide a long ways near the top of the atmosphere. 3/

China’s new one is different in several ways. First, the lifting body is separating from the missiles booster in flight. The angular part keeps going the round booster rocket falls away. 4/

That reduces the drag of the lifting body that continues on. The top is more streamlined and can generate lift to stay at high altitude with much less drag than a full non-separating missile. 5/

It can also maneuver harder and keep its velocity up. 6/

This all combines to give higher performance, longer range, more ability to evade defenses, harder to intercept because of speed. A much more capable missile than the NK one. 7/

The downside is higher temperatures on the Hypersonic Glide Vehicle. Much harder to make it fly successfully. More expensive. But not impossible at all. 8/

So if you see the pointier winged upper parts like that, it’s putting a lot of effort and money into longer range, higher speed, and more capable missiles. 8/