China’s Defense Ministry has confirmed long rumored development of a new hypersonic aircraft that could attack thousands of miles from its launch point.

The hypersonic glide vehicle would be launched using an intercontinental ballistic missile and could travel at speeds of Mach 10.  The device would be very difficult to detect by warning systems because unlike the missiles the glider would not enter space.

Military affairs analysts told the Washington Free Beacon the weapon is part of weapons called an “assassin’s mace.”  Those weapons are designed to be used by a weaker military force to gain an advantage against a superior foe.

A Pentagon spokesman said that they were aware of the Chinese test.

The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and two subcommittee chairman called the test concerning and that it showed a fast technological leap by the Chinese military.