North Korea tests fire hypersonic missile “Hwasong-8”

Successful testing of a new hypersonic missile:

North Korea successfully tested a new hypersonic missile called Hwasong-8. The missile was one of the five most important new weapons systems made by North Korea in the five-year military development plan. 

Country’s third missile test:

This was the country’s third missile test in a month. Earlier it tested a new type of cruise missile, as well as a new train-launched ballistic missile system.

What is Hypersonic missiles?

Hypersonic missile systems are some of the latest warfare technology and fly at lower altitudes compared to ballistic weapon systems and can attain Mach-5 (more than five times the speed of sound). These are more maneuverable and flexible. Hypersonic flow is a high energy flow.

First hypersonic rocket:

The first manufactured object to achieve hypersonic flight was the two-stage Bumper rocket, consisting of a WAC Corporal second stage set on top of a V-2 first stage. In February 1949, at White Sands, the rocket reached a speed of 8,288.12 km/h (5,150 mph), or approximately Mach 6.7. The vehicle, however, burned on atmospheric re-entry, and only charred remnants were found.