US Races to Compete with Russia and China in Hypersonics Arms Race

By Kris Osborn – President & Editor-In-Chief, Warrior Maven

Russia’s use of hypersonic weapons in warfare represents a new development in the history of modern conflict, introducing a previously unprecedented speed of attack.

Russia Hypersonic Weapons

There may have been little actual tactical benefit or rationale for using hypersonic weapons against Ukraine, so it seems to appear as somewhat of an intimidation tactic to show the US, NATO and the world that it now operates with a margin of military superiority to some extent.

Hypersonic weapons certainly present a number paradigm-changing levels of high-speed attack. Traveling at 5 times the speed of sound, defenders simply have little to no time to actually see, track and therefore defend against incoming hypersonic attacks.

US Army weapons developers directly and clearly say that the US is “number three” in the world of hypersonics, behind both Russia and China. 

However, while this sounds and is potentially alarming, there are a few lesser recognized things to consider regarding hypersonics. 

US Hypersonic Weapons

First, the US is fast-progressing with its own hypersonic weapons arsenal and plans to deliver a ground-launched Long Range Hypersonic Weapon by 2023. Eight missiles will travel in a mobile battery and operate with an ability to hold long-range targets at risk of ultra-high-speed hypersonic attack. The new LRHW will also be deployable aboard an Air Force C-17 cargo plane and therefore be capable of expeditionary operations and rapid mobilization. 

LRHW developers are working intensely to achieve an ambitious timeframe given the current global threat environment. Army developers are also thinking forward and pursuing new innovations to enable hypersonic weapons to actually hit “maneuvering” targets, something which has not thus far been possible. Senior Army weapons developers call it a “tech insertion,” indicating that sensor and software upgrades can help modify the weapon’s flight guidance and targeting systems to introduce an ability to track and fire upon mobile targets. This would of course be extremely significant for ground commanders looking to maneuver into new positions and hold advancing enemy targets at risk.