Arms control

Inside the terrifying global arms race for hypersonic weapons

Capable of flying faster than 5000km/h without losing manoeuvrability and lower in the atmosphere than traditional ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons will offer clear advantages in penetrating missile defences — once they’ve actually been perfected.

Though still in development by nations around the world, once fully operational, the missiles are expected to be capable of destroying targets anywhere on the planet within an hour of getting data and permission to launch.

The weapons will also lessen the timelines for a response by a nation under attack.

The technology, as deadly as it is troubling, was the focus of a recent report which recommended “the United States, Russia, and China should agree not to export complete hypersonic missile systems or their major components”.

The warning appears to have fallen on deaf ears, however, with all three superpowers being vocal about the ongoing development of these weapons.

However, it’s not just the US, China and Russia in pursuit of creating a battle-capable hypersonic missile. France, India and Australia among others are also in the race.