US, Russia And China Are Pushing Ahead In Developing And Deplying Hypersonic weapons

Russian Aerospace Forces MiG-31s have conducted simulated firing of the Kinzhal hypersonic aeroballistic missile with a small radar signature and high maneuverability. Photo: AFP/Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Asia Times: Major powers starting to deploy hypersonic weapons

Many questions remain about missiles that fly at up to 20,921 kilometers per hour, but the US, Russia and China are pushing ahead with development.

Are hypersonic weapons a game changer – it all depends on which game you want to change and if hypersonic weapons perform as advertised.

The United States, Russia and China are known to be heavily engaged in developing hypersonic weapons, but while the technology challenges are more or less similar, the goals of each of the players are significantly different.

The United States aim is for a new generation of conventional weapons and platforms covered by three major programs: a new Advanced Hypersonic Weapon (AHW) first tested in 2011; a Tactical Boost Glide Weapon (TBG) which is a rocket glider that can reach speeds of 20,921 kilometers per hour, or MACH 20, and uses a scramjet/ramjet engine (itself based on the hypersonic test vehicle HTV-2); and an Advanced Full Range hypersonic Engine program (AFRE) which is intended as a reusable hypersonic engine that combines an off the shelf jet turbine engine with a dual mode ramjet engine.

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WNU Editor: A good review/summary on the US, Russian, and Chinese hypersonic programs.