The United States is lining up $6.9 billion to integrate this technology into its hypersonic missile and not be overwhelmed by China and Russia

Hypersonic weapons in the United States: A race for precision against Russia and China.

Amid growing threats from Russia and China, the United States is stepping up the development of its hypersonic weapons. According to a new report, these American weapons will have to achieve higher precision than Russian and Chinese systems, in particular because they will be equipped with conventional rather than nuclear warheads.

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Technical challenges and precision requirements for the American hypersonic missile

U.S. hypersonic weapons, designed to be more precise, present a considerable technical challenge. They must not only compete with the existing capabilities of adversaries but also integrate advanced technologies to ensure their mission effectiveness. This need for precision is crucial because an unpredictable trajectory at high speed could increase the risk of misinterpretation and unintentional escalation.

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Issues for the US Congress

The report titled “Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress” outlines the challenges that U.S. lawmakers may face when allocating funds for these programs. The United States Department of Defense (DoD) funds several hypersonic weapons programs but has not yet established formal programs or long-term funding plans, raising questions about requirements and associated costs. .

Budgets and financial constraints

Budget analysis shows hypersonic weapons could cost a third more than ballistic missiles of similar range. The report also states that, without an effective air defense system, these weapons may offer no more survivability than ballistic missiles. For FY 2025, DoD requested $182.3 million for hypersonic defense and $6.9 billion for hypersonic offensive weapons programs.

International concerns and risks

One of the main concerns raised is that the high speed and unpredictable trajectory of hypersonic weapons could make it difficult to determine their targets, increasing the risk of accidental conflicts. Additionally, ambiguity regarding the conventional or nuclear nature of hypersonic weapon warheads could also lead to unwanted escalations.

Ease tensions rather than predict war

The report encourages the United States to consider steps such as expanding the New START agreement, negotiating new multilateral arms control agreements, and implementing transparency and confidence-building measures with other nations to mitigate the risks associated with hypersonic weapons.

Hypersonic capabilities internationally

Several countries, including Russia, China, India, South Korea, Australia and France, are developing or have already developed weapons that fly at speeds greater than Mach 5. These weapons fall into two main categories: hypersonic glide vehicles and hypersonic cruise missiles.

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This report highlights the complex challenges and strategic implications of hypersonic weapons development in the United States. It highlights the critical importance of the precision and reliability of these weapon systems to ensure national security and maintain a balance in global military capabilities against adversaries like Russia and China.

Source : US Naval Institute

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