2021

Hype and the hypersonic arms race: Modelling the performance of hypersonic boost-glide missiles.

by Dr Cameron L. Tracy (Union of Concerned Scientists)

Pacific/Honolulu
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Description

Hypersonic weapons comprise an emerging class of missile technologies—maneuverable vehicles that carry warheads through the atmosphere at more than five times the speed of sound. They have recently garnered a great deal of interest due to claims of their advantages over existing missiles, including ostensibly unmatched speed and the ability to evade early warning sensors and defenses. But absent rigorous, independent technical assessment, their precise capabilities remain uncertain and controversial. To elucidate the performance of these weapons, we have developed a computational model of hypersonic missile flight. Simulations show that the fundamental physics of hypersonic flight severely constrain the performance of these missiles. Comparison with existing ballistic missiles reveals that many claims regarding the purported advantages of hypersonic weapons lack a clear technical basis.