France makes first test launch of hypersonic guided missile VMaX

France's directorate-general for armaments this week conducted the first test of the VMaX hypersonic guided weapon. This is an important step towards a weapon capable of travelling at over Mach 5 (6174km/h).

Here's What We Know

The hypersonic warhead was tested at the Biscarros range in southwestern France. After the launch, a white trail of the glider was left in the sky. It could be seen in Toulouse, Montpellier and even in northern Spain.

ArianeGroup created the rocket engine in conjunction with the French National Aerospace Laboratory. The hypersonic warhead can reach speeds of over 6000 km/h. A dedicated launch pad was created for the test.

France began work on VMaX back in 2019. The project was announced by Florence Parly, then France's defence minister. Initially scheduled for 2021, the test was eventually postponed for two years.

Source: French Ministry of Defence