Hypersonic Vehicles
Hypersonic vehicles incorporate the speed of a ballistic missile with the manoeuvring capabilities of a cruise missile. The term refers to weapons that travel faster than Mach 5 (~3,800mph) and can manoeuvre during the entire flight. These vehicles are specifically designed for increased survivability against modern ballistic missile defence systems. Hypersonic vehicles can deliver conventional or nuclear payloads at ultra-high velocities over long ranges.
Featured Publications
The Evolving Context for Deterrence
Technology and Policy Challenges
By Prof.
Stephen J.
Cimbala
By Dr.
Adam
Lowther
The member-states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) face an unprecedented challenge in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and their threats to employ nuclear weapons against NATO. There is also the potential risk of Chinese aggression [...]
Hypersonic Weapons on the Front Line
Deterrent or Detractor?
By Cdr
Aaron
Shiffer
Some regard hypersonic weapons as a niche capability that offers a new first-strike capability for a small set of high-value targets, while others argue they have little real impact beyond strategic messaging of national prestige [...]
Hypersonic Weapons
The Defining Challenge of Our Time
By Lt Col
Francesco
Esposito
For most people, hypersonic weapons and aircraft represent yet another 21 However, hypersonic studies have an extended history stretching back over half a century. In October 1967, William J. Knight, an aeronautical engineer, piloted the [...]
Hypersonic Threats
Hype or Game Changer for NATO’s Deterrence?
By Lt Col
Andreas
Schmidt
It is almost impossible to read current literature about NATO‘s threat spectrum without having Hypersonic Operational Threats (HOT) mentioned as an emerging ‘game-changer.’ The following article is based on a Specialist Team Report of NATO’s [...]
Distance No Longer Equals Protection
Development and Testing of Authorities and Planning Concepts for Hypersonic Strike Weapons
By Mr
Patrick
Filbert
‘The military services are ramping up spending on hypersonic weapons and defense capabilities, from rocket-based glide systems to air-breathing weapons to low-altitude cruise missiles and more.’ Advances in technology continue to outpace the techniques, procedures, [...]
The Differences Between Unmanned Aircraft, Drones, Cruise Missiles and Hypersonic Vehicles
By Lt Col
Andre
Haider
By Lt Col
Andreas
Schmidt
To define the impact of unmanned aerial systems on current and future NATO operations, it is very important to identify which kind or category of threats are included and which are not. This section will [...]
Hypersonics: Changing the NATO Deterrence Game
By Dr
Cathy
Moloney
As NATO ‘increases investment into innovation to harness the benefits and mitigate the risks of emerging technologies, such as hypersonic systems,’ will the current ‘balanced and defensive package of measures that ensure the credibility and [...]
Hypersonic Vehicles
Game Changers for Future Warfare?
By Mr
Hans-Ludwig
Besser
By Dr.-Ing.
Dennis
Göge
By Mr
Michael
Huggins
By Mr
Alan R.
Shaffer
By Dr.-Ing.
Dirk
Zimper
Hypersonic technologies offer potential solutions and applications that could have a strong impact on doctrine and conduct of future military operations. Different applications are conceivable for hypersonic flight vehicles in order to enable new or [...]
