Why the US cannot overcome Russian and Chinese hypersonic weapons
The Glide Phase Interceptor is intended to provide an advanced hypersonic missile defence capability. (Photo: Raytheon Missiles and Defense)
As hypersonic weapons do not follow a ballistic trajectory and can fly at low altitudes in addition to manoeuvring en route to their target, they challenge existing US defence systems.
The risks posed by hypersonic weapons and Russian and Chinese advances in this realm have been a concern for the US and are pushing the Pentagon towards developing and improving its missile defence capabilities.
As hypersonic weapons do not follow a ballistic trajectory and can fly at low altitudes in addition to manoeuvring en route to their target, they challenge existing US defence systems.
A report issued by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) in February noted that both current terrestrial- and space-based sensor architectures are insufficient to identify and track this type of threat.
It stated that ‘terrestrial-based radar
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