The U.S. Air Force Wants A Mach 5 Missile

Aerojet Rocketdyne has teamed with prime contractor Lockheed Martin to develop a cruise missile with Mach 5. (Image: Aerojet Rocketdyne)

Military.com: Lockheed, Aerojet Rocketdyne Working on a Mach 5 Cruise Missile

NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland -- In the hypersonics arms race with China and Russia, Aerojet Rocketdyne has teamed with prime contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. to develop a cruise missile with Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound, as its minimum goal.

Aerojet Rocketdyne is involved in "taming the physics" of the propulsion system for a missile that will fly faster than existing air defenses' ability to keep track, said retired Army Col. Steve Warren, an Aerojet spokesman.

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Update: The Air Force Is Working on 'Hacksaw,' a Mach 5 Missile (Popular Mechanics)

WNU Editor: This Mach 5-plus cruise missile is the Defense Department's "top technical priority" in the race for hypersonics dominance.