The development of hypersonic weapons is an ongoing arms race between nations such as China, Russia, and the United States. While China successfully tested a Mach 5 weapon in 2021 and Russia has been talking about hypersonic missiles since 2018, the US has approximately 70 efforts to develop hypersonic technologies, including bombers, missiles, and engines. Vladimir Putin recently announced plans to test the Zircon hypersonic missile, which can supposedly reach speeds of Mach 9. However, while hypersonic weapons can avoid air defense systems, ballistic missiles equipped with countermeasures and maneuverable warheads are also challenging to defend against.
Russia test unlishishing their hypersonic missile pic.twitter.com/8keN6XoD0l
— Alcapon Junior (@ndingaisolom) April 30, 2023
The US Navy has recently awarded contracts to Raytheon Missiles and Defense and Lockheed Martin for the initial development of a carrier-based hypersonic weapon system called the Hypersonic Air Launched Offensive Anti-Surface (HALO). The contracts are valued at a total of $116 million and are the first step in fielding a critical capability over the next decade that will allow the Navy to operate in and control contested battle space in littoral waters and anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) environments. HALO’s predecessor, the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), is currently fielded on the Navy’s F/A-18 and Air Force B-1B. The Navy plans to pursue a competitive acquisition strategy leveraging LRASM requirements and concept of operations to meet future maritime threats beyond the mid-2020s, and HALO’s initial operational capability is planned to be fielded late this decade.
Stopping hypersonic missile attacks will likely rely heavily upon data sharing, high-speed data processing, and artificial intelligence. https://t.co/XicwPtOuEg
— National Interest (@TheNatlInterest) May 2, 2023
To Sum It All Up:
- The development of hypersonic weapons is an ongoing arms race between China, Russia, and the United States.
- The US has around 70 efforts to develop hypersonic technologies, including bombers, missiles, and engines.
- Vladimir Putin recently announced plans to test the Zircon hypersonic missile, which can supposedly reach speeds of Mach 9.
- While hypersonic weapons can avoid air defense systems, ballistic missiles equipped with countermeasures and maneuverable warheads are also challenging to defend against.
- The US Navy has recently awarded contracts to Raytheon Missiles and Defense and Lockheed Martin for the initial development of a carrier-based hypersonic weapon system called the Hypersonic Air Launched Offensive Anti-Surface (HALO).
- HALO’s initial operational capability is planned to be fielded late this decade.
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Jim Bowery III – Freelance Writer for Whatfinger News
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