India tests its first hypersonic missile

Nuclear-armed India has tested its first hypersonic missile, the defence minister said Sunday, publicizing the super-fast high-tech weapon days. The missile blasted off from Abdul Kalam Island off the east coast on Saturday. Hypersonics are the new frontier in missile technology, because they fly lower and are harder to detect than ballistic missiles. They can also reach targets more quickly, and can be ordered to change target in mid-flight.