Pentagon to Test Hypersonic Missiles at Five Times the Speed of Sound
- Hypersonic weapons are sought to compete with China, Russia
- At least four initial flight tests are planned for this year
A U.S. Air Force B-52 carries a prototype AGM-183A hypersonic missile.
Source: U.S. Air Force
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The Pentagon plans a “very aggressive” expansion of its hypersonic weapons efforts this year, with at least four initial flight tests of prototypes for glide bombs that can fly five times the speed of sound and maneuver en route, officials said.
A new Hypersonics Transition Office that Congress funded this year will also bankroll a university consortium to conduct advanced research into the weapons and develop a workforce for the new technology, the officials said.