Saturday, June 27, 2015

Russia Testing Hypersonic Missile Technologies

Image from Value Walk

Washington Free Beacon: Russia Tested Hypersonic Glide Vehicle in February

Moscow follows China in seeking maneuverable high-speed missiles.

Moscow is developing a new, ultra-high speed strategic attack vehicle similar to China’s hypersonic weapon, according to military analysts.

However, unlike high-profile strategic bomber flights and large-scale nuclear war games that U.S. military commanders have called provocative, details about the Russian hypersonic vehicle remain one of Moscow’s closely held military secrets.

The Russians have been developing the new Yu-71 vehicle for several years and conducted the most recent flight test in February, according to an article published this month in Jane’s Intelligence Review.

A Pentagon spokeswoman declined to comment on the Russian hypersonic test.

Update #1: Russia Tested Hypersonic Nuclear Missile In February, But Failed -- Value Walk
Update #2: Arms race between US, China and Russia to develop hypersonic missiles and fighter aircraft -- IBTimes

WNU Editor: This is an important weapons program in Russia (as well as for China and the U.S.), but what is worrisome is that because of its potential capabilities (i.e. stealth, speed, and maneuverability), it can quickly be converted into a nuclear first strike weapons platform.

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