France Flies V-MAX Hypersonic Demonstrator

France has performed the first demonstration flight of its V-MAX hypersonic glider. 

The demonstrator was launched from a sounding rocket from the Biscarosse missile range in southwestern France on June 26 and performed several maneuvers over the Atlantic Ocean. 

French officials are being tight-lipped about the test, with France’s defense materiel agency, the DGA, only stating that the demonstrator “contained many on-board technological innovations” and undertook “a demanding long-range trajectory.”  

“Data collected throughout the duration of the test are underway to draw lessons for the rest of the experimental flights,” the DGA stated, suggesting this may be the first of an undisclosed number of launches. 

The DGA’s own announcement also says that the V-MAX project will “prepare the future” of France’s “hypervelocity roadmap,” suggesting the technology may form part of France’s future deterrent plans. 

Details of the V-MAX project emerged in 2019 during a speech by then-defense minister Florence Parly, who said France needed to join the growing number of nations exploring hypersonic flight. 

“Many nations are getting it [hypersonic technology], we have all the skills to do it,” Parly said at the time. V-MAX had been due to fly in 2021 but clearly has faced development delays. 

Development of V-MAX was led by ArianeGroup, which also builds the M51 submarine-launched ballistic missile used the French Navy for the country’s nuclear deterrent.  

Rumors of a potential first flight of V-MAX emerged during last week’s Paris Air Show, when notices to mariners were issued for a missile launch into the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean. The notices suggested a large turning area over the water. Imagery published on social media appears to show high-altitude vapor trails that suggest the vehicle completed several maneuvers during the tests.