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The United States (US) military plans to test a hypersonic nuclear missile, according to a report from a British newspaper. The test reflects the United States’ anxiety to improve its military capability in response to similar advancements by rivals, Russia and China.
Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, or over 24,000 kilometers per hour. Such high speed allows them to evade traditional missile defense systems, boosting the lethality of modern military arsenals.
Hypersonic missiles can also maneuver during flight, making their trajectories unpredictable and complicating interception efforts.
A hypersonic missile can strike targets anywhere in the world within about 30 minutes, drastically reducing the time available for military responses.
In recent years, the United States prioritized investment in hypersonic research and development. The Pentagon has identified hypersonic weapons as an extremely important area for maintaining a technological edge over potential adversaries.
Other countries have also been presiding over the coveted military technology. Russia successfully tested its Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle that can carry nuclear warheads and evade missile defense systems.
Similarly, China has made huge strides in hypersonic missile development, conducting multiple tests of its DZ-ZF hypersonic glide vehicles.
The upcoming test by the US military will attract significant attention from the rest of the world, especially Russia and China.
The upcoming test by the world’s most powerful military also aligns with a broader trend in military modernization the world over. States are exploring advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, and space-based systems to secure strategic advantages.
