China has successfully tested a cutting-edge hypersonic aircraft that rides its own shock waves.
During the flight on August 3 the test craft maintained ultrafast speeds above Mach 5.5 for more than 400 seconds and reached 7,344 km/h, according to China Daily.
The waverider is similar to technology being developed by the US and Russia, and could be fitted with conventional or nuclear warheads, defence analysts say.
Its speed and unpredictable trajectory will challenge modern missile defence systems.