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?
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Update: India’s Rafale-M deal postponed]()
Update: India’s Rafale-M deal postponed
New Delhi had been gearing up to sign a Navy Rafale deal as talks swirled around a potential assembly line in Nagpur.
-
![Turkey’s Eurofighter process going to plan despite German block, says minister]()
Turkey’s Eurofighter process going to plan despite German block, says minister
The comment, made by Turkish defence minister Yasar Guler, also noted that the 40-strong sale of Eurofighter Typhoons was primarily managed by the UK, not Germany.
-
![Airbus awaits USMC decision on Logistics Connector programme]()
Airbus awaits USMC decision on Logistics Connector programme
Airbus has been advancing development of its uncrewed MQ-72C Logistics Connector for the US Marine Corps, with a decision on the programme expected in early 2026.
-
![Belgium considers additional F-35 order to boost fleet]()
Belgium considers additional F-35 order to boost fleet
The statement from Prime Minister Bart De Wever during a parliamentary session follows the country’s Easter Agreement which would see it increase defence spending to 2% of GDP by the end of 2025.
-
![Northrop Grumman notes $477 million loss as it manages higher B-21 programme costs]()
Northrop Grumman notes $477 million loss as it manages higher B-21 programme costs
In its Q1 earnings call, the company disclosed a US$477 million pretax loss related to the programme as it works to scale up.
-
![Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss]()
Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss
The investment in technologies developed for Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) aircraft bid will now be applied to its F-35 and F-22 aircraft, according to Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet.
