With the advent of China's bold declaration of a fourth successful test of its hypersonic strike vehicle, the Wu-14, Russia seems to have fully caught up in the arms race. Just like China's ace, Russia' Yi-71 is extremely fast and fully maneuverable, which makes it able to break through any missile defense system.
Under the codename "Project 4202," the Yu-71 took years to fully develop. As of date, a number of tests have already been conducted; the most recent being on February 26, with an SS-19 missile trying to deliver the Yu-71 to space. The weapon is reported to be capable of speeds of up to Mach 10, or 11,200 kmh (7,000 mph). Apart from this, it is also very maneuverable, to the point when it would be able to overcome U.S. air defense systems, reports Sputnik News.
This month's Jane's Intelligence Review gives a pretty accurate picture of the situation revolving around the conception of the hypersonic weapon.
"This would give Russia the ability to deliver a guaranteed small-scale strike against a target of choice; if coupled with an ability to penetrate missile defenses, Moscow would also retain the option of launching a successful single-missile attack," the report said, according to International Business Times.
The U.S. is also engaged in the development of its own hypersonic weapons systems, dubbed the Prompt Global Strike Program, which uses conventional, non-nuclear warheads capable of striking targets around the world within minutes. Russia, however, seems to be pursuing a different angle on its hypersonic vehicles.
"Russia appears to be considering the option of deploying its hypersonic system in a nuclear, as well as conventional, configuration," Jane's Intelligence Report stated, according to The Washington Times.
The report further states that Russia would be able to deploy as many as 24 nuclear-capable Yu-71 missiles between 2020 and 2025. As Russia continues to build its arsenal of weapons, the world's other superpowers, the U.S. and China, are also working hard at developing their own hypersonic arsenal of armaments.
Another Arms Race seems to be brewing.
