North Korean ICBM?

[monkeybutler]

Japan reported its speed as mach 17, which is hypersonic

There are ballistic missiles which travel at hypersonic speeds which are not generally referred to as hypersonic. Such as ICBMs. Or an IRBM in this case.

Hypersonic specifically refers to cruise missiles which travel at hypersonic sppeds, distinguishing them from previous generations of cruise missiles which are slower.

 

[Yarome]

Japan reported its speed as mach 17, which is hypersonic

That's fairly consistent with an IRBM or ICBM. IIRC, U.S. ICBM's can reach something like mach 20-23ish(?).

 

[JohnnyMac]

Japan reported its speed as mach 17, which is hypersonic

Sorry sir, you are correct in that it was a missile capable of hypersonic speeds. Most all long range missiles are hypersonic and have been for many years, but the recent application of the term "Hypersonic Missile" is generally being used to reference the latest generation "Hypersonic Glide Vehicle" (HGV) that is highly maneuverable and can fly at hypersonic speeds while adjusting its speed/altitude/course to foil enemy defenses. Those types of missiles are pretty much unstoppable using our current defense systems. Russia and China are ahead of us in this arena.

Most traditional missiles' flight paths can be calculated in less than a minute or so based on speed & trajectory whereas the HGV's are a crapshoot. I work for the Missile Defense Agency out on the SBX-1 and we keep a close eye on most of this activity.
Especially when it originates in countries run by a short, fat little drunkard that likes to rattle his saber (sabre?).

 

[ma96782]

Aloha, Mark