Why is it that despite being far behind Russia, China, and probably even North Korea in hypersonic weapons, the United States is reluctant to establish any programs of record for such weapons?
This question is significant when the Pentagon’s FY2023 budget request for hypersonic research is $4.7 billion—up from $3.8 billion in the FY2022 request, and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has additionally requested $225.5 million for hypersonic defense.
In other words, while the US is openly researching hypersonic weapons, it is not sure whether this research will result in deployable weapons or programs.
It is common knowledge that the United States has actively pursued the development of hypersonic weapons as a part of its conventional prompt global strike program since the early 2000s.
The EurAsian Times reported how on October 26, the US military carried out a successful test launch of a rocket for the development of hypersonic weapons.
And the next day, on October 27, the US Congressional Research Service released its updated report on “Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress” to Congress for consideration.
The US reluctance to have an officially declared hypersonic program is all the more surprising when it is not a question of simply Russia, China, or North Korea, who have deployable hypersonic missiles.
Many other countries are also developing hypersonic weapons technology. These countries include Australia, India, France, Germany, South Korea, and Japan. And interestingly, the US has collaborated with some of them.
Since 2007, the United States has teamed up with Australia on the Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation (HIFiRE) program to develop hypersonic technologies.
In addition to the Woomera Test Range facilities—one of the largest weapons test facilities in the world—Australia reportedly operates seven hypersonic wind tunnels and is capable of testing speeds of up to Mach 30.
Analysts say France has decided to weaponize the hypersonic technology under the “V-max (Experimental Maneuvering Vehicle) program,” which could provide Paris with a strategic nuclear weapon. France operates five hypersonic wind tunnels and can test speeds up to Mach 21.
Germany has already tested an experimental hypersonic glide vehicle (SHEFEX II). It continues to research and test hypersonic vehicles as part of the European Union’s ATLLAS II project, which seeks to design a Mach 5-6 vehicle. Germany operates three hypersonic wind tunnels and can test speeds up to Mach 11.
South Korea is said to be developing a ground-launched Mach 6+ hypersonic cruise missile, Hycore, “in response to growing concern about North Korea military modernization.” It plans to build sea[1]and air-launched variants eventually.
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