Long-Range Hypersonic Weapons and Missile Development

The development of long-range hypersonic weapons and missiles (speeds above Mach 5 with maneuverability) has become one of the most intense competitions in the world. The main focus has now shifted to the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), submarine launches, and the ability to launch air-to-air missiles from hypersonic vehicles.

The following are the latest long-range hypersonic missile projects being developed and tested by the world's major military powers:

1. United States: Focus on Non-Nuclear Precision

Unlike Russia or China, which are designing hypersonic missiles to carry nuclear warheads, the US is focusing on conventional, non-nuclear, high-precision missiles.

Dark Eagle / LRHW (Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon)

- Dark Eagle / LRHW (Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon):

Developed for the US Army, this mobile, ground-launched missile is capable of speeds above Mach 5. The system was recently deployed in the Valiant Shield war games in Guam (Western Pacific). US Central Command (CENTCOM) is also considering its operational use.

HALO (Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface)

- HALO (Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface):

A US Navy fighter jet-based hypersonic missile project specifically designed to hunt enemy aircraft carriers or large warships from long distances.

2. China: Pioneering AI Integration and Air-to-Air Functions

China currently leads the way in the number of operational hypersonic missile inventories. Their focus is on countering US intervention in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

DF-27

- DF-27 & DF-17: China's two primary hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs). Most surprisingly, China has reportedly successfully integrated AI technology to help the missiles maneuver to evade Western air defense systems.

- Long-Range "Air Killer" Concept: China is reportedly testing HGV capabilities (such as modified DF-17/21) that not only attack ground targets but are also capable of carrying and releasing air-to-air missiles (such as the PL-21) mid-flight. This weapon is specifically designed to target vital US logistics aircraft from thousands of kilometers away, such as aerial refueling aircraft and AWACS radar aircraft.

DF-17

3. Russia: New "Oreshnik" Missile and Zircon Enhancements

Russia continues to test its weapons directly on the Ukrainian battlefield while developing new ones.

- Oreshnik: Russia's latest medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile, which shocked the world when it was first deployed. Developed by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, this solid-fuel missile uses a mobile launcher and carries a state-of-the-art warhead.

Oreshnik

Kinzhal (Kh-47M2)

- Zircon (3M22) & Kinzhal (Kh-47M2): Russia continues to increase mass production of these two missiles. The ship-launched Zircon is now being intensively used, although Ukrainian intelligence claims its true speed in combat is around Mach 6.8. Meanwhile, the Kh-95 is being developed as a future hypersonic cruise missile for the Tu-160M ​​strategic bomber.

Oreshnik

4. Asia-Pacific and Europe: A New Rising Power

- Japan (Submarine-Launched HVGP): Given regional tensions, Japan allocated a record defense budget to develop the HVGP Block 2 (range 3,000 km). Most recently, Japan embarked on an ambitious program to launch this hypersonic projectile directly from a submarine.

- India (LR-AShM): Through the DRDO, India successfully tested the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM), capable of reaching Mach 10 with a quasi-ballistic flight (jumping through the atmosphere) to destroy enemy warships within 15 minutes. India is also pursuing Project Vishnu (a hypersonic cruise missile).

India (LR-AShM)

- Taiwan (Chingtian / Ching-tien): Under pressure from Beijing, Taiwan is developing a domestic hypersonic missile called the Chingtian using ramjet/scramjet engine technology with a range of 1,250 km, claimed to be capable of reaching key Chinese cities, including Beijing.

Taiwan (Chingtian)

- European Consortium: In Norway, a joint German-British defense company successfully tested a prototype of an independent European hypersonic missile that managed to break through the speed of Mach 6. From the above developments, it is clear that the hypersonic missile race is no longer just a race of speed, but a race of intelligence (AI technology) and launch flexibility.