Russian hypersonic missiles are fast enough to zip through most modern air defenses of most modern nations. It is all about traveling faster than the supersonic speed at Mach 5+ plus or more. One advantage of these hyper-fast missiles is that they can travel to their target at high velocity and strike targets.
Undetectable Hypersonic Missiles of Russia
Since using these missiles, the news has caused a wave of outrage and global discontent in equal measure. It's probably the first time a government has used a hypersonic weapon in combat against another, causing a Russia-Ukraine confrontation to intensify, reported The Eurasian Times.
These missiles can also avoid intercepting rockets that travel at slower speeds and make minced meat of defense used on conventional missiles. Any national armed force could be comfortable with this edge, and arming a nuclear warhead makes it more deadly.
Only a few countries have this technology: Russia, China, India, and maybe North Korea; one of the first is the Russian S-500 Prometey or Prometheus. The missile is a surface-to-air missile capable of sensing hypersonic missiles and other air threats.
As said by the RAND Corporation, a US policy think tank, hypersonic missiles are a brand-new type of weapons capable of maneuvering and flying at supersonic speeds of almost 5000 kilometers per hour, noted 6Park News.
Moscow's Military Capabilities
Since the start of the war, Russia has been explicit about its goals and intentions, making it plain that no tolerance will be allowed in the face of a danger to its national security and interests. It's conceivable that Russian hypersonic missiles are intended to indicate such intent.
To be more precise and straightforward, Moscow is seeking to polish its image as a nuclear-weapons state and is in the spirit to showcase military power to send a message to its other major rivals, such as the United States. The US version of hypersonic armaments falls well short of the Russian and Chinese versions.
A Congressional Research Service Memo states that Russia, China, and the US have this weapon; other nations like Australia, India, France, Germany, and Japan are developing their own. Technologies needed to develop hyper-fast missiles like hypersonic wind tunnels and glide vehicles are part of India's thrust.
In June 2019 and September 2020, it officially joined the elite club of nations that tested the innovation with its Mach 6 scramjet. The Defence Research and Development Organisation conducted the test, as mentioned in Indian Express.
While disagreements over the weapon's moral purpose will remain in the international arena, this action will offer Russia an edge in its viciousness with the US-led NATO.
The use of these new arms has shaken the US and how geopolitics is changing fast. India, an ally of Russia, can learn from its steps.
Russia claims these advanced missiles have fuel up to 1,000 kilometers. An article in Military says it flies so fast with plasma gas forming in front of the missile's nose cone that cancels radar systems, becoming invisible before striking. Only Russia has this capability compared to NATO.
Russian hypersonic missiles can make quick work of their targets as they did in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin found what he needed to keep the West on its toes.
