The U.S. Congress is actively promoting the deployment of hypersonic interception in fiscal year 2024, a move that marks a new exploration in the field of missile defense by the United States, especially in the face of rapidly developing hypersonic technology. The report pointed out that the United States has not yet been equipped with hypersonic missiles, but the importance of this technology has been foreseen in the plan.
It is reported that Congress asked the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to provide a hypersonic *** solution GPI. The MDA says this *** is capable of intercepting hypersonic missiles in the gliding phase. In the plan, the United States hopes to achieve initial operational capability by 2029 and full operational capability by 2032. The Pentagon further proposes to deploy at least 24 GPIs by the end of 2040.
The report also mentions that to build a full operational capability, GPI also needs to include the ability to work in tandem with space-based or ground-based sensors that are expected to be deployed by the end of 2032. To ensure the smooth implementation of the plan, Congress approved an additional 2$2.5 billion in funding.
The project reflects the urgent need of the United States to defend itself against Chinese and Russian hypersonic missiles. Although the program will gradually show its effect over the next decade and become combat-ready around 2040, people are still curious about what kind of hypersonic missiles can intercept "uninterceptable".
The GPI missile, which is supposedly similar to the SM-3 Block IIA, was developed by Raytheon and Northrop Grumman under the direction of the MDA. Such a missile will fly at a speed of more than five times the speed of sound and will be able to perform high-G maneuvers during the flight phase. In addition, the missile is suitable for the launch of the Vertical Launch System (VLS) of existing cruisers of the US Navy and will be integrated with the improved Aegis Baseline 9 system.
"Multiple breakthroughs will allow us to reduce execution risk, explore industry concepts, and maximize the advantages of the competitive environment to demonstrate as soon as possible the most effective and reliable gliding stage for regional hypersonic defense," said Maj. Gen. Tom Druggan, MDA's Sea-Based Systems Program Director***
Three companies, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon, will compete for the MDA's hypersonic *** contract with their excellent missile designs. These companies have extensive experience in the design of hypersonic technologies.
As for whether hypersonic missiles can be intercepted, the answer is yes. Although previous reports claim that hypersonics** cannot be intercepted, in reality, hypersonic ** fall into two categories: common hypersonic gliding missiles and air-breathing hypersonics**. These are not uninterceptable at every stage. For example, the U.S. military's SM-3 and THAAD systems can intercept the ascent, middle and reentry stages of hypersonic glide missiles. However, the gliding segment of a hypersonic missile is more difficult to intercept, because its trajectory can control maneuvering, and it is difficult for the interceptor missile to follow the missile's next trajectory.
The key to intercepting hypersonic missiles is speed. The speed of the interceptor missile must be much higher than that of a hypersonic missile in order to intercept effectively. At the same time, the use of supercomputers for ** missile trajectories is also a potential method, although its effectiveness has yet to be verified.
In addition, hypersonic missile defense is not just about interceptor missiles, it also requires an effective early warning system. For example, the U.S. early infrared warning satellite system needs to be upgraded in order to detect hypersonic missiles. Early warning of hypersonic missiles may require a large number of satellites in medium Earth orbit, which undoubtedly increases cost and complexity.
It is worth noting that even if technologies for intercepting hypersonic missiles may exist in the future, hypersonic ** remains significant from a strategic point of view. In the offensive defense of missile defense, the attacking side usually has an advantage, since it is possible to carry out a saturation attack and use a decoy warhead. Therefore, even in the presence of interception technology, the continued development of hypersonic missiles still has its strategic value.
In summary, the U.S. hypersonic missile interception program, while challenging, also demonstrates the importance it attaches to emerging threats. At the same time, it also shows that hypersonic ** will continue to play an important role in future wars, both as an offensive means and for defensive considerations. In addition, technological developments and strategic adjustments in this area will continue to affect the international security landscape.