Hypersonic weapons

Hypersonic weapons are weapons capable of flying in the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds greater than or equal to 6 thousand km/h or 1.6 km/s and maneuvering using aerodynamic forces. The weapon is capable of hitting both stationary objects: airfields, warehouses, various kinds of infrastructure, and non-stationary targets: aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, air defense installations, mobile command headquarters.

History

2024

China unveils electromagnetic rail gun to launch cruise missiles

The Chinese Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) has developed an electromagnetic rail gun to launch cruise missiles and other hypersonic projectiles. The testing of such weapons became known in mid-May 2024. Read more here.

China has created laser weapons to destroy hypersonic missiles

At the end of March 2024, it became known that Chinese scientists and the military developed laser weapons to destroy hypersonic missiles. Moreover, as established in the course of research, an increase in beam power does not lead to a proportional increase in missile damage. Read more here.

Russian anti-aircraft missile system S-500 received a new computer system to destroy hypersonic missiles

At the end of February 2024, it became known that the Russian anti-aircraft missile system S-500 Promete received a new computing system to destroy hypersonic targets. Thus, Promete can actually shoot down any missiles - from short-range systems to intercontinental ballistic systems. Read more here.

2023

US Air Force recognized the failure of the hypersonic missile project ARRW and curtail it

On August 19, 2023, the US Air Force tested a hypersonic missile as part of the ARRW (Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon) program. Read more here.

France unveils hypersonic guided combat glider

On June 26, 2023, France introduced a hypersonic guided combat glider called the V-MAX. The device successfully made its first demonstration flight, performing several maneuvers over the Atlantic Ocean. Read more here.

Iran showed its first hypersonic ballistic missile "Fattah"

On June 6, 2023, Iran officially unveiled the first self-produced hypersonic ballistic missile. It was named "Fattah." Read more here.

2022: Iran creates first hypersonic ballistic missile

Iran created the first hypersonic ballistic missile. This was announced in November 2022 by the commanders of the military space forces of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Amir Ali Hajizadeh. Read more here.

Notes