Hypersonic missile defence ‘difficult but tractable’, says CSIS
Graphic of hypersonics in action. (Image: NASA, Keith Henry Archives)
At the current pace, the US may not field a glide-phase interceptor until the 2030s, but a new report from the CSIS indicates that this could be accelerated.
A new report from the US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) states that just as hypersonic weapons do not ‘follow predictable trajectories’, the US cannot afford to be predictable in how it responds to the threats these new weapons present.
The 'Complex Air Defense: Countering the Hypersonic Missile Threat' report described defending against hypersonic weapons as a ‘difficult but tractable problem’, adding that addressing the threats they pose should be a key driver in how the US rethinks missile defence and transforms its legacy ballistic missile defence (BMD) system.
The report argued that hypersonic defence ‘might be better understood’ as a
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
- Free magazine subscription to all our titles
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
- 10-year news archive access
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
More from Air Warfare
-
![US, in prescribing Taiwan’s mission, rebuffs MH-60R sale]()
US, in prescribing Taiwan’s mission, rebuffs MH-60R sale
The current administration in the US is proving less willing than Trump was to sell military equipment to Taiwan.
-
![Australia’s first MC-55A Peregrine is spotted]()
Australia’s first MC-55A Peregrine is spotted
The first known MC-55A for Australia has been seen flying in the US since March as part of a test programme.
-
![Persistence pays off with ARRW hypersonic test]()
Persistence pays off with ARRW hypersonic test
The ARRW air-launched hypersonic missile test programme has had its share of delays and mishaps, but Lockheed Martin and the USAF have finally conducted a successful boosted flight test.
-
![Canberra promises to multiply MQ-28A Ghost Bats]()
Canberra promises to multiply MQ-28A Ghost Bats
The current Australian government is promising to accelerate development of the Loyal Wingman project for the RAAF.
-
![US awards initial spares contract for F-35 Lot 16 aircraft]()
US awards initial spares contract for F-35 Lot 16 aircraft
The latest F-35 contract modification for Lockheed Martin follows a deal covering ‘ancillary mission equipment requirements’ for Lot 15 and Lot 16 aircraft.
