The Hypersonic Weapons Race: Speed as the New Strategic Advantage

Hypersonic weapons, systems capable of traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5 while maneuvering to evade defenses, represent the cutting edge of strategic military competition. These weapons compress the decision timelines available to defenders, potentially undermining the stability provided by existing defense systems.

Russia has been the most aggressive in deploying hypersonic systems. The Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, mounted on ICBMs, can maneuver unpredictably at speeds exceeding Mach 20. The Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile, carried by modified MiG-31 interceptors, has been used in combat in Ukraine. The Zircon anti-ship hypersonic cruise missile is being deployed on surface warships and submarines, threatening to overmatch existing naval air defenses.

China's hypersonic program is equally ambitious. The DF-17 medium-range ballistic missile with a hypersonic glide vehicle is specifically designed for strikes against high-value targets like carrier groups and military bases. China's successful test of a fractional orbital bombardment system with a hypersonic glide vehicle in 2021 caught US intelligence by surprise and demonstrated a potential ability to circumvent traditional missile warning systems.

The United States has invested billions in multiple hypersonic programs but has faced development challenges and testing delays. The Long Range Hypersonic Weapon for the Army, the Conventional Prompt Strike system for the Navy, and air-launched systems are all in various stages of development. Meanwhile, defense against hypersonic threats remains an open problem. Traditional ballistic missile defense is designed for predictable trajectories, while hypersonic glide vehicles can maneuver laterally across thousands of kilometers, complicating interception.