Hypersonic weapons to play no part in U.S. nuclear deterrence, says U.S. Strategic Command chief

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Last week, Army Space and Missile Command chief Lieutenant General James Dickinson said in congressional testimony that the U.S. armed forces were planning five test programs on hypersonic weapons systems in the Marshall Islands in the central Pacific Ocean. Space War reports. Continue reading original article

The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:

11 April 2019 -- The United States is moving quickly to develop hypersonic weapons just as Russia and China are doing, U.S. Strategic Command Commander Gen. John Hyten told reporters on the sidelines of a space forum in Colorado on Tuesday.

"Russia and China are going really fast in hypersonics right now, we're going to move fast to make sure we can do that," Hyten said. The official also noted that the U.S. had no intention to use hypersonic weapons in its nuclear deterrence force.

"Russia and China talk about hypersonics as part of their future strategic deterrent force, which means nuclear hypersonic capabilities," Hyten said. "We don't have any plan for using hypersonics in our nuclear deterrent force."

Related: Just in a nick of time: U.S. military researchers finally get serious about Mach 5 hypersonic weapons

Related: Lockheed Martin hypersonic missile may achieve speeds of 3,800 miles per hour -- or one mile per second

Related: Defense industry finds a growth market in offensive hypersonic weapons to neutralize global targets

John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics

Ready to make a purchase? Search the Military & Aerospace Electronics Buyer's Guide for companies, new products, press releases, and videos