Putin has described the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle as a technological breakthrough comparable to the 1957 Soviet launch of the first satellite. The new Russian weapon and a similar system being developed by China have troubled the United States, which has pondered defense strategies. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP The Russian military said the Avangard hypersonic weapon entered combat duty on Friday. The military said the Avangard is capable of flying 27 times faster than the speed of sound. The Russian military previously had commissioned another hypersonic weapon of a smaller range.

Source: Stuff December 27, 2019 22:41 UTC