International Competition

Hypersonic weapons have emerged as the defining military technology of the 21st century, dominating defense headlines since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Yet beneath the sensational rhetoric lies a more complex reality: hypersonic flight itself is not new, ballistic missiles have exceeded Mach 5 since the 1960s, and recent conflicts have already revealed vulnerabilities in these supposedly unstoppable systems. At their core, hypersonic weapons are any systems traveling faster than Mach 5—roughly 3,800 miles per hour. This extreme speed offers genuine tactical advantages: compressed decision-making windows for defenders, rapid target coverage, and shortened warning times. However, the physics of hypersonic flight presents extraordinary challenges. Extreme air friction generates temperatures exceeding 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit, threatening structural integrity and demanding innovative materials and thermal-management solutions.