US lays out plans to speed up hypersonic weapons development
Hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted that the country possesses hypersonic intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), DARPA revealed it has plans to ramp up testing its capabilities portfolio.
During a presidential address to the Federal Assembly in Moscow on 1 March, Putin said Russia had developed a hypersonic capability — the RS-28 Sarmat, a weapon capable of striking the US.
Shortly after, speaking at a defence writer’s breakfast, DARPA Director Steven Walker declined to confirm or deny Putin’s claim. Walker, however, dovetailed into US efforts to ramp up development of such weapons under a ‘national hypersonics initiative’.
‘We
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide]()
Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide
The House Committee on Appropriations approved a FY2026 bill reducing investments in main defence programmes.
-
![What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow]()
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
-
![Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme]()
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
-
![Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans]()
Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
