3 ms·
I'd love to pick this article apart, but instead I'll just offer this: The Phoenix missile (which used to be carried by the F-14) is borderline hypersonic [0].
by MR4D 4y ago
I'd love to pick this article apart, but instead I'll just offer this:
The Phoenix missile (which used to be carried by the F-14) is borderline hypersonic [0]. And it is shot at airplanes.
Now imagine an Exocet-type missile but at a much higher speed.
A fast missile does one very important thing - it reduces the time the defender has to react, and thereby increases the odds of the attack succeeding. Glide-paths, targeting, etc are just variations of an attack plan - speed is what kills.
[0] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIM-54_Phoenix#:~:text=Speed%3A%203%2C000%2B%20mph%20(4%2C680%2B%20km/h) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIM-54_Phoenix#:~:text=Speed%3...
- FunnyBadger 4y agoThere's a downside to hypersonic - they are NOT agile especially in terminal guidance so they are primarily/only good for stationary targets. Going so fast carries this cost. The hypersonic weapon win is when you need a short OODA loop in an engagement - perfect for that and we've see that happen already in Ukraine with them: the attack on Yavoriv - it was over and targets dead before ATC/Air Defense even realized there were incoming. That's a short OODA loop. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OODA_loop https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OODA_loop https://www.npr.org/2022/03/13/1086327654/russian-forces-escalate-attack-in-western-ukraine-target-military-base https://www.npr.org/2022/03/13/1086327654/russian-forces-esc... A similar effect would occur with HGVs launched from SLBMs off the US coast - it's be over before anyone even raises the first alarm of incoming.
- ortusdux 4y agoSee also: Supercavitating torpedos, which reportedly can travel at 300-350 mph.
- JoeAltmaier 4y agoAnd destroyed the first submarine that tested them! Russian, the typical failure of a new torpedo is guidance, which often results in the device describing a circular route instead of a straight one. Ending up back where it started. So they fired, and before you could say Jack Robinson it hit them, having traveled in a circle of a mile or so. Or so I recall from reports after the fact.
- godelski 4y agoJust note that hypersonic weapons are also used defensively. There's research into using them to take out ICBMs during the boost phase. This is the only part of the missile sequence that has a high chance of neutralizing the missile threat but also the most difficult phase to counteract.