The U.S. Defense establishment was caught flat-footed by announcement from both the Russians and the Chinese that they possess hypersonic missile technology that renders current U.S. missile defenses ineffective.
Needless to say, this has put the U.S. on a serious catch-up footing. It’s estimated that hypersonic aircraft and missiles could reach velocities up to five times the speed of sound. Defense experts noted that Vladimir Putin’s boast didn’t come with any hard proof, but it’s a known fact that both of these U.S. adversaries have been pursuing hypersonic technology for years.
There are many technological hurdles and variables to be overcome and addressed with hypersonic vehicles, and the U.S. has, admittedly, not solved all of them. Noteworthy is that China is reported to possess up to two or three times the number of hypersonic development and testing facilities, which adds credibility, but not certainty, to their claim of having mastered the technology deploying hypersonic missiles.
Learn more here.
Needless to say, this has put the U.S. on a serious catch-up footing. It’s estimated that hypersonic aircraft and missiles could reach velocities up to five times the speed of sound. Defense experts noted that Vladimir Putin’s boast didn’t come with any hard proof, but it’s a known fact that both of these U.S. adversaries have been pursuing hypersonic technology for years.
There are many technological hurdles and variables to be overcome and addressed with hypersonic vehicles, and the U.S. has, admittedly, not solved all of them. Noteworthy is that China is reported to possess up to two or three times the number of hypersonic development and testing facilities, which adds credibility, but not certainty, to their claim of having mastered the technology deploying hypersonic missiles.
Learn more here.
RSS Feed
