The image is an illustration of a Russian hypersonic weapon, likely designed for anti-aircraft carrier missions vessel. Here’s the translation and description:
Translation of Russian Text:
- Разработчик: "НПО Машиностроения" – Developer: "NPO Mashinostroyenia"
- Дальность стрельбы – по ряду источников 350 - 500 км. – Firing range – according to some sources, 350 - 500 km.
- Скорость: 8 скоростей звука (число Маха = 8). – Speed: Mach 8.
- Длина: 8 - 10 метров. – Length: 8 - 10 meters.
Description of the Figure:
The graphic depicts a hypersonic missile flying towards a naval target. The missile follows a high-altitude trajectory before descending rapidly towards the ship, showcasing its maneuverability and high speed. The impact is illustrated with an explosion, emphasizing the weapon’s destructive capability.
The missile's design features:
- A streamlined, elongated body to minimize aerodynamic drag at hypersonic speeds.
- Stabilizing fins at the rear to maintain flight stability.
- An intake or sensor near the midsection, possibly for guidance or propulsion.
This type of missile is commonly referred to as a "carrier killer" due to its speed, range, and intended purpose of targeting large naval vessels, potentially altering naval power dynamics.
Hypersonic Weapons: Issues for Congress Amid Global Arms Race
February 13, 2025
Washington, D.C. – As the United States accelerates its hypersonic weapons programs in response to advancements by Russia and China, Congress faces crucial decisions about the future of American military capabilities, strategic stability, and defense spending. A new report from the Congressional Research Service highlights the complexities surrounding hypersonic weapons development, including budgetary constraints, technological challenges, and geopolitical implications.
Growing Investments Amid Strategic Competition
The Pentagon's FY2025 budget request for hypersonic research reached $6.9 billion, a significant increase from $4.7 billion in FY2023. The focus is on developing hypersonic glide vehicles and cruise missiles capable of traveling at speeds of at least Mach 5. Unlike Russian and Chinese systems, which are reportedly nuclear-capable, U.S. hypersonic weapons are designed for conventional warfare, necessitating greater accuracy and technical complexity.
This push is partly fueled by fears of falling behind in a new arms race. Both China and Russia have made significant strides, with China successfully testing hypersonic glide vehicles and Russia deploying the Avangard system, which can carry nuclear warheads. U.S. military leaders have warned that American defenses are currently inadequate to counter these threats.
Congressional Concerns and Strategic Questions
Congressional debate is intensifying over the purpose and cost-effectiveness of hypersonic weapons. Lawmakers are asking critical questions, including:
- What missions will hypersonic weapons serve, and are they the best tools for those objectives?
- Is the acceleration of hypersonic research and defense systems both necessary and technologically feasible?
- What are the implications for strategic stability and arms control, particularly regarding the risk of nuclear escalation?
Some critics argue that hypersonic weapons lack clearly defined mission requirements and contribute little to existing U.S. military capabilities, raising concerns about the justification for increased spending. Additionally, there are strategic stability issues, as the deployment of hypersonic systems could lead to rapid escalation in conflicts, especially if misinterpreted as nuclear strikes.
Technological and Logistical Challenges
The development of U.S. hypersonic systems has faced significant technical challenges, with several failed tests and delays in deployment timelines. For example, the Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program—intended for deployment on Zumwalt-class destroyers—has been postponed from FY2025 to 2027.
Moreover, the U.S. lacks sufficient hypersonic testing infrastructure, with limited availability of flight corridors and support assets. This bottleneck has delayed testing schedules and could hamper efforts to keep pace with international competitors.
Funding and Future Prospects
The Pentagon has allocated $11 billion for long-range fires in FY2025, encompassing hypersonic programs. The Navy requested $903.9 million for CPS research and development, while the Army sought $538 million for the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) system. However, a lack of established programs of record suggests uncertainty about long-term acquisition and deployment plans.
Global Implications and Arms Control Challenges
The U.S. push for hypersonic weapons comes amid an evolving global arms race. China and Russia's advancements raise concerns about an erosion of strategic stability and increased risks of miscalculation. As a result, Congress is debating the need for new arms control agreements, including possible expansions of the New START treaty or other multilateral frameworks.
Looking Ahead
With hypersonic weapons potentially reshaping global military dynamics, Congress's decisions will influence not only the U.S. defense posture but also international security and arms control paradigms. Lawmakers face a delicate balancing act between maintaining military superiority and preventing an uncontrolled arms race.
As funding debates continue, the Pentagon’s hypersonic ambitions are likely to remain at the forefront of U.S. defense policy, prompting critical discussions on cost, strategy, and global stability.
Report to Congress on Hypersonic Weapons - USNI News
Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress
Hypersonic
Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress The United States has
actively pursued the development of hypersonic weapons-maneuvering
weapons that fly at speeds of at least Mach 5-as a part of its
conventional prompt global strike program since the early 2000s. In
recent years, the United States has focused such efforts on developing
hypersonic glide vehicles, which are launched from a rocket before
gliding to a target, and hypersonic cruise missiles, which are powered
by high-speed, air-breathing engines during flight. As former Vice
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former Commander of U.S.
Strategic Command General John Hyten has stated, these weapons could
enable "responsive, long-range, strike options against distant,
defended, and/or time-critical threats [such as road-mobile missiles]
when other forces are unavailable, denied access, or not preferred."
Critics, on the other hand, contend that hypersonic weapons lack defined
mission requirements, contribute little to U.S. military capability,
and are unnecessary for deterrence.
The
United States has been actively developing hypersonic weapons, which
can travel at speeds of at least Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound),
as part of its conventional prompt global strike program since the
early 2000s. Hypersonic weapons can be either hypersonic glide vehicles
or hypersonic cruise missiles.
The
paper explores the hypersonic weapons programs in the United States,
Russia, and China, and the issues that Congress might consider as it
reviews the Department of Defense's funding requests for U.S. hypersonic
technology programs.
The study is based on unclassified sources and provides information on the programs and infrastructure in each nation.
The
United States, Russia, and China have been developing various
hypersonic weapons programs. The U.S. programs are focused on
conventionally armed hypersonic weapons, while Russia and China are also
pursuing nuclear-armed hypersonic weapons. The U.S. has a robust
testing infrastructure for hypersonic weapons, but it faces challenges
in terms of the industrial base and supply chain.
There
is disagreement among experts about the potential impact of hypersonic
weapons on strategic stability and the U.S. military's competitive
advantage. Some argue that hypersonic weapons pose a threat, while
others believe their strategic implications are minimal.
The
report provides a comprehensive overview of the global state of
hypersonic weapons research and development, which can inform
policymakers and the public about the capabilities and challenges in
this rapidly evolving field.
The
report fulfills the requirements of several provisions in the National
Defense Authorization Acts, which directed the Department of Defense to
produce assessments of U.S. and adversary hypersonic weapons programs
and the sufficiency of testing infrastructure.
The
study is limited to unclassified sources, and some aspects of the
programs may not be fully captured. Future work could involve more
in-depth analysis of the mission requirements, costs, and strategic
implications of hypersonic weapons.
