Hypersonic Missiles Are Unstoppable, But Who Is On Top In This Arms Race?

When the US falls behind in developing hypersonic missiles, Russia pushes ahead with numerous hypersonic missiles that can be launched from aircraft and ships, while China has the DF-17 hypersonic missile, which has yet to be battle tested, and there is no film of a DF-17 trial. Whatever In 2019, India will test its own HSTDV (Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle) in response to China’s development.

The hypersonic missile has become a popular military weapon among world countries. Russia is currently winning the race and poses a big danger to the United States. As a result, Japan has been working to improve its defensive systems in order to resist China’s and Russia’s hypersonic missiles.

The Russian military believes that dominance in airspace and space is required to undertake successful war operations. According to the most recent evidence, Russia and Japan are developing two lethal hypersonic weapons, the Kh-95 and the HVGP. Surprisingly, the US Air Force disclosed last month that a hypersonic missile named AGM-183A, part of the “Rapid Reaction Weapons (ARRW)” Program, failed for the second time in a flight test.

Russia had already successfully produced and deployed the Avangard supersonic strategic missile. Russia is now working on the Kh-95, a new type of air-launched hypersonic cruise missile.

Similarly, in response to China’s military modernisation, Japan is constructing its first supersonic cruise missile. China had previously declared the successful test of the DF-17 hypersonic missile, a mobile medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) capable of launching a hypersonic flying vehicle (HGV).

In the newest issue of Russian Military Thought magazine, General Vladimir Zarudnitsky, Director of the Russian General Staff’s Defense Academy, stated that Russia is developing the Kh-95, a promising long-range hypersonic missile for arming strategic missile-carrying aircraft (Russian X-95)

There is relatively little information available regarding this project so far, and what is available is of considerable interest to many individuals. According to the information available, the Kh-95 project will be able to improve the long-range air force’s strike capabilities and become one of the most essential components of the strategic deterrence system.

Zarudnitsky emphasised how Russia has developed hypersonic missile and weapon systems such as the Kinzhal air-launched hypersonic missile system from the MiG-31k and the Tu-160M strategic bomber in determining the relevance of “space supremacy” for combat operations.

Later, Russian news sources such as RIA Novosti and TASS confirmed the missile’s existence, with Novosti reporting that it will be employed on the Tu-23M supersonic strategic bomber, the Tu-160M, and the future Russian PAK-DA bomber.

Although Russian cruise missiles have a range of over 2,000 kilometres and may be launched from the air (ALCM), they are vulnerable to enemy anti-aircraft fire, according to Mikhail Khodarenok, a military analyst for the Russian publication Gazeta.Ru. However, because ALCMs can only fly at subsonic speeds, they are readily caught by opposing air defences, causing the entire combat objective to be disrupted.

The development of hypersonic missiles like the Kh-95 to equip Russia’s long-range strategic air force is a critical and timely undertaking; a hypersonic air-launched cruise missile has a great range, and hypersonic speed reduces modern air defence systems’ penetration capabilities.

The Russian warship Admiral Gorshkov successfully test-fired a Zircon hypersonic missile in July, destroying a surface target at a range of almost 350 kilometres and a speed of Mach 7. In June, it was also reported that two MiG-31K fighter jets, capable of carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, had been stationed at Khmeimim airfield in Syria, putting NATO’s entire southern flank under attack.

Japan is one of the other contenders in the race to exploit hypersonic technology, as it seeks to deter a militarily superior China. According to some reports, the Japanese military is working on a hypersonic anti-ship missile that might destroy Chinese aircraft carriers.

The Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile, or HVGP, will be driven by a jet engine and resemble a regular missile in appearance, but with the capacity to travel at a much faster speed and cover a much greater range.

The HVGP, on the other hand, will be outfitted with a solid-fuel rocket engine that will raise its warhead payload to sub-space height before disconnecting; the warhead will then glide at supersonic speed towards the target until it hits it.

HVGP’s development is divided into two stages. The first phase is projected to be completed by 2026, while the second phase will last until 2028, potentially longer, and the HVGP will be able to “penetrate an aircraft carrier deck” after 2026.

“Putting missiles with a longer range to defend the Nansei Islands (also known as the Ryukyu Islands) will allow Japan respond to China’s aggression operations without deploying Maritime Self-Defense Force ships and planes,” according to Japan’s The Mainichi.