Frontline Tech: Has A New Arms Race Begun?

Hypersonics, missiles and aircraft that can travel faster than Mach 5, or about 4,000 mph – about twice the speed of a rifle bullet – are the subject of a new arms race.

Ballistic missiles like Trident are faster, but most of their trajectory is in an atmosphere where they cannot steer.

This predictable path makes them relatively easy to intercept. The new hypersonics, which travel through the atmosphere at high speed, will be far more agile.

In March, Russia released video of the test-firing of a new missile, the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal or “Dagger”, which President Putin described as ‘invincible’.