What are hypersonic missiles and why does the UK need them?
Russian invasion of Ukraine has hastened efforts to develop ‘consequential weapon’
Britain is planning to work with the US and Australia to develop nuclear-capable hypersonic weapons.
A statement from Joe Biden, Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced an expansion of the Aukus trilateral security pact in the form of “cooperation on hypersonics and counter-hypersonic” weapons, The Guardian reported.
How do they work?
Hypersonic missiles can reach up to five times the speed of sound, or 3,850mph. In comparison, US Tomahawk cruise missiles travel at around 550mph, according to military systems company PartYard Military.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Hypersonic missiles do not follow a predetermined, arched trajectory. Instead they are able to use the air to move in flight.
There are two main types of the missile, the first of which are “glide vehicles”, said The Times. These are “launched into space on a rocket before gliding to their target”.
The second variety are “cruise missiles”, the paper added, which “have engines that use the air’s oxygen and produce thrust during their flight” allowing them to “cruise at a steady speed and altitude”.
How much do they cost?
US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told Defense News that they could cost anywhere from $50m (£38.1m) to $100m (£76.3m) each, though the hope is to get the unit price down to $10m (£7.6m).
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Pentagon officials calculated that, in coming years, hypersonic weapons will add $21.5bn (£16.4bn) to the navy’s budget and $7bn to the army’s. However, these estimates are “tentative as the technology emerges”, The Guardian said.
Who else has them?
Tthe US, China and Russia have “the most advanced capabilities”, said The Times. The US “quietly tested its own hypersonic missile last month”, The Guardian added.
Australia, France and Germany are, like the UK, investigating the technology.
Why does the UK want them?
Announcing the plan, Stephen Lovegrove, the UK’s national security adviser, referenced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying it made it “more important now than ever that allies work together to defend democracy, international law and freedom around the world”.
The Ukraine conflict has pushed the missiles up the priority list of many nations. Before Russia invaded Ukraine, it test-fired about 10 new Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missiles from a frigate and two more from a submarine.
Joe Biden said last month that Russia had used its Kinzhal hypersonic missile in Ukraine, describing it as “a consequential weapon” that was “almost impossible to stop”.
Russia confirmed it had used them twice against targets near Mykolaiv and elsewhere in the west of Ukraine. Western analysts said that this was the first time hypersonic missiles had been used in combat.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Nigeria's worsening rate of maternal mortality
Under the radar Economic crisis is making hospitals unaffordable, with women increasingly not receiving the care they need
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Elevating Earth Day into a national holiday is not radical — it's practical'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
UAW scores historic win in South at VW plant
Speed Read Volkswagen workers in Tennessee have voted to join the United Auto Workers union
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How would we know if World War Three had started?
Today's Big Question With conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, the 'spark' that could ignite all-out war 'already exists'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Iran attack hinder support for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Pro-Kyiv allies cry 'hypocrisy' and 'double standards' even as the US readies new support package
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
The issue of women and conscription
Under the radar Ukraine military adviser hints at widening draft to women, as other countries weigh defence options amid global insecurity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Iran's attack on Israel backfire?
Today's Big Question The unprecedented targeting of Israel could be a 'godsend' for Netanyahu as the limits of Tehran's military power are exposed
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Labour and nuclear weapons: a turbulent ideological history
The Explainer From the 1940s to Keir Starmer, the party leadership has zigzagged in and out of love with the bomb
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Why is Ukraine backing far-right militias in Russia?
Today's Big Question The role of the fighters is a 'double-edged sword' for Kyiv, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What does victory now look like for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Not losing is as important as winning as the tide turns in Russia's favour again
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published