The Pentagon recently confirmed that China had tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August that would make defense difficult. The Pentagon says it has contracted major defense companies Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Germain to build missiles to protect the United States from hypersonic missile attacks.
Unlike conventional ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles
can fly up to five times faster than sound.
Hypersonic missiles can be controlled better than ballistic missiles. These missiles can fly at low altitudes in the air. This ability makes it relatively difficult to protect them.
The Pentagon said Friday that three contracts worth more
than 60 million had been awarded to defense companies.
These companies will develop Glide Phase Interceptors
(GPIs). The United States successfully tested hypersonic missile technology in
October. China and Russia have already begun using the technology.
The Pentagon recently confirmed that China had tested a
nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August that would make defense difficult.
The Pentagon says China is increasing its weapons faster
than expected.
According to The Independent, the speed of a hypersonic
missile is so high that it cannot be seen approaching.
China has a recognized lead in this area. Russian President
Putin has repeatedly claimed that his armed forces now have hypersonic missiles
that can destroy US or British aircraft carriers in less than an hour after the
start of the war. The crew targeted in a hypersonic missile attack will have
almost no time to retaliate.
As in World War II, the defense forces need to be aware of
the possibility of an attack and keep their defense system ready at all times
so that they have a realistic opportunity to hit such a short target.
Even in the last moments of final access, the strike on an
attack missile is unlikely to be effective because even if it did, its wreckage
would continue to fall and enter the target ship.
