Fast, French and furious: DGA tests hypersonic glide vehicle
The firing of the VMAX hypersonic glide vehicle. (Photo: DGA)
Yesterday, the French DGA conducted the first tiring of its VMaX hypersonic glide vehicle demonstrator from Biscarrosse.
The test sees France enter into a small club of hypersonic glide vehicle testers, having launched the system from Biscarosse in the Southwest of France.
In a statement, the DGA said: ‘This first demonstrator contained many on-board technological innovations. Its flight test, on a very demanding long-range trajectory, was an unprecedented technical challenge that paves the way for the future of our national hypervelocity roadmap.’
Paris is now working on analysing data recovered from the test ahead of further experimental flights.
Militaries across the world are seeking hypersonic weapons for their combination of speed and manoeuvrability.
Hypersonic glide vehicles pose
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![US Marines seek suppliers for 10,000 low-cost sUAS with first delivery targeted for April]()
US Marines seek suppliers for 10,000 low-cost sUAS with first delivery targeted for April
The US Marine Corps is looking for vendors capable of quickly delivering off-the-shelf drones. The small uncrewed aerial systems are expected to carry diverse types of payloads.
-
![Can emergent suppliers of fighter aircraft crack Middle East markets?]()
Can emergent suppliers of fighter aircraft crack Middle East markets?
The 2025 Dubai Airshow saw several aspiring suppliers of combat aircraft to the region’s air forces parade their wares in the sky and on the ground. Shephard’s Edward Hunt explores their chance of success in the Middle East.
-
![Northrop Grumman and Kratos team up to develop US Marine Corps CCA]()
Northrop Grumman and Kratos team up to develop US Marine Corps CCA
Northrop Grumman will provide the autonomy software for the USMC loyal wingman, which will be integrated into Kratos’ XQ-58 Valkyrie uncrewed aerial system.
-
![Saab eyes fresh market opportunities for its GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft]()
Saab eyes fresh market opportunities for its GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft
As the E-7 Wedgetail faces prolonged production and technical delays as well as a recently abandoned contract from NATO, its competitor, the GlobalEye, may find new avenues for market growth.
