According to the US National Interest bimonthly website on May 6, the U.S. Navy has promoted its "Current Rapid Strike" hypersonic missile program, focusing on the possibility of cold launch systems and deployment on the Zumwalter-class destroyer. Meanwhile, the cost and effectiveness of hypersonic weapons remain arousing concerns.

  The key to the US military's "integrated deterrence"

Last month, the U.S. Navy canceled its hypersonic air-fired offensive anti-surface target missile (HALO) program, but recently tested its "conventional fast strike" hypersonic missile at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida.

In the eyes of the US military, installing high-super missiles for the "Zumwalter" class destroyer is similar to "waste utilization".

In the eyes of the US military, installing high-super missiles for the "Zumwalter" class destroyer is similar to "waste utilization".

The Navy seems to be more concerned about which hypersonic weapon project will move forward, while others will be "buried." The “Routine Rapid Strike”, formerly known as the “Instant Global Strike” program, is currently developed by the Naval Agency Strategic System Program and the Army Agency Rapid Response Capability and Key Technologies Office.

The program seeks to adopt a “cold launch method” that can launch strikes anywhere in the world within an hour, allowing conventional U.S. troops to respond faster.

"The speed, range and survivability of hypersonic weapons are key to the U.S. comprehensive deterrence. Once deployed, the 'Current Rapid Strike' program will provide our combatants with unparalleled strike capabilities."

Recent flight tests are one of the links to assess combat readiness missiles (i.e., a fully assembled and ready for deployment). The system will include a two-stage solid rocket booster and a universal hypersonic glider that can carry kinetic energy warheads.

"The information collected from this test will inform the continued development and production of combat readiness missiles and the first use of this cold launch method on surface ship platforms," ​​the U.S. Navy announced.

Last year, this combat readiness bomb underwent two end-to-end flight tests.

"The cold launch method allows the Navy to eject missiles from the combat platform and enable it to reach a safe distance above the ship before the first phase of ignition. This technological achievement takes us one more step towards providing the Navy with safe and reliable hypersonic capabilities."

The "Current Rapid Strike" program may be crucial to correct the mistakes of the U.S. Navy's Zumwalter-class destroyer. This "cut-end" warship has always been a well-known "gold-swallowing beast", and the military has poured a lot of money into it but has little effect.

The unpredictable flight mode of hypersonic weapons allows it to escape radar detection and reduce the opponent's early warning time. However, critics argue that these systems largely fail to achieve the promised effect. Additionally, it can cost as much as at least $10 million, which is unbearable.

However, the United States knows that it can't afford to lose the hypersonic weapon race. The result may be that the United States has another expensive weapon that it wishes it cannot use.

  Multiple countries carry out R&D competition

According to the US National Interest bimonthly website on May 10, although the deployment of sixth-generation technology and platforms is the biggest hot topic in the near future, another arms race is also brewing between the United States and its opponents. Earlier this month, the U.S. Navy successfully tested a conventional hypersonic missile, marking a milestone in the U.S. Navy's ability to launch such a sea-based weapon.

Many countries are conducting research and development in related fields. Moscow's MiG-21 fighter jet has been reportedly used to deploy the country's Kh-47M2 "Dagger" hypersonic missile, the next-generation hypersonic weapon first disclosed by Russian President Putin in 2018. Iran also claims to have the "Conqueror" hypersonic missile. Although many emerging technologies pose a major threat to the United States, hypersonic missiles are arguably one of the most noteworthy ones.

Why do everyone want to have hypersonic weapons?

Even the fastest-flying aircraft is far less than the speed of hypersonic missiles. In addition, hypersonic weapons can also change their trajectory during flight, and even the most powerful and advanced air defense systems are difficult to intercept and shoot down.

While hypersonic weapons have similarities with other lethal missiles, what’s unique about these cutting-edge weapons is that they are primarily used for precision strikes, carrying both conventional warheads and nuclear warheads.

The U.S. Center for Strategic and International Studies explained that hypersonic missiles are particularly "promising to revolutionize modern warfare." If the opponent launches a "preemptive" strike against the US mainland with hypersonic missiles, the US military may not have enough early warning time to make an effective counterattack, because detecting, positioning and intercepting such fast and flexible weapons is extremely challenging. With this alone, investing resources to expand the research and development of hypersonic missiles is crucial to U.S. national security.