The global arms race has now reached a point where speed has become the greatest power. Hypersonic missiles are considered the most dangerous element of this race; They are so fast and agile that it is very difficult to stop them. This is the reason why these missiles remain a cause of concern even for a superpower like America.
Image changed for the first time due to use in war
In 2022, during the conflict with Ukraine, Russia deployed its ‘Kinzhal’ hypersonic missile. This was the first time in history that a sophisticated missile was used in an actual war. This missile, fired from a fighter plane, reached its target flying at a speed many times faster than the speed of sound, and thus gave concrete proof of its power to the world.
Why are these missiles so dangerous?
The biggest feature of hypersonic missiles is their speed and agility. These missiles are capable of achieving speeds ranging from Mach 5 to Mach 10. However, speed is not their only strength; They also have the ability to change their course in the air, fly at low altitude and dodge enemy air defense systems.
Whereas conventional ballistic missiles follow a fixed path, hypersonic weapons constantly change course throughout their flight. Because of this special ability, tracking and stopping them becomes a very difficult task.
Russia and China are at the forefront
Russia and China are progressing rapidly in this technical field. Both countries have either successfully developed several hypersonic weapons, or are actively working on their development. In contrast, the US has not yet fielded a fully operational weapon of this category, although it is currently working on several development projects.
**The Kinzhal**
‘Kinzhal’ missile is considered to be Russia’s most prominent hypersonic technology. It is fired from a fighter aircraft and is capable of reaching speeds close to Mach 10. Both conventional or nuclear warheads (explosives) can be installed in this missile. However, there have been occasions in recent conflicts when it has been intercepted, raising questions about its ‘invincibility’.
Zircon and Avangard
Russia is currently developing another hypersonic missile named ‘Zircon’. This missile uses a ‘scramjet’ engine and propels itself by drawing oxygen from the air. This technology increases both its range and speed. The Avangard, on the other hand, is a glide vehicle that separates from a ballistic missile and moves towards its target at very high speed; It is capable of changing its direction mid-flight. It is considered a major threat to existing defense systems.
China’s DF-17 and new technologies
China has also developed hypersonic missiles, such as the DF-17, which fly at low altitudes and reach their targets. The combination of its speed and mass makes it an extremely dangerous threat to naval vessels. Additionally, missiles such as the Xingkong-2 are based on new designs that propel themselves by “surfing” on their own shockwaves (pressure waves). This technology may prove to be even more lethal in the future.
Conventional missiles are still important
Although hypersonic weapons are rapidly advancing, conventional missiles will continue to play an important role in modern warfare. This was clearly seen in the Ukraine conflict, where conventional rockets and missiles proved decisive.
