Hypersonic Missiles: Advantages and Disadvantages

This page explores the pros and cons of hypersonic missiles. It details the benefits and drawbacks associated with this advanced technology.

What is Hypersonic?

In the world of aerodynamics, “hypersonic” describes anything moving at five times the speed of sound or greater. To put it numerically, we’re talking about speeds around 3000 miles per hour and up. Hypersonic speed is also often referred to as “Mach 5.”

There are generally considered to be three speed ranges within the hypersonic realm: low hypersonic, hypersonic, and high hypersonic. A good example of a low hypersonic aircraft is the X-15.

Mach number is simply the ratio of an object’s speed to the speed of sound. Hypersonic speeds range from Mach 5 to Mach 10, while supersonic speeds fall between Mach 1.2 and Mach 5.

Hypersonic technology has many potential applications, but it is most prominently used in hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) and hypersonic cruise missiles (HCMs). As of 2021, Russia, China, and the United States are the main countries actively developing hypersonic weapons.

HGVs are launched by rockets and fly at lower altitudes compared to ballistic missiles. HCMs, powered by “Scramjet” engines, travel at greater speeds and higher altitudes than traditional cruise missiles. The image above depicts one of the applications of hypersonic missiles.

Benefits or Advantages of Hypersonic Missiles

Here are some of the key advantages of hypersonic missiles:

• High Speed: Hypersonic missiles travel at least five times faster than the speed of sound, making them incredibly difficult to intercept.
• Cost-Effective (HGVs): HGVs can be more cost-effective compared to traditional cruise and ballistic missiles.
• Lower Radar Detection (HGVs): HGVs fly at lower altitudes, making them less likely to be detected by enemy radar systems.
• Speed and Altitude Advantages (HCMs): HCMs fly at lower altitudes than ballistic missiles but higher altitudes than cruise missiles, and they travel at significantly greater speeds than cruise missiles.
• Course Correction: Hypersonic vehicles can adjust their flight path during flight, allowing for greater accuracy and flexibility.

Drawbacks or Disadvantages of Hypersonic Missiles

Despite their advantages, hypersonic missiles also have some significant drawbacks:

• Lower Average Speed: Due to air resistance, the average speed of hypersonic missiles can be lower than that of ballistic missiles.
• Material Erosion (HGVs): The extreme heat generated during flight can cause materials to erode and alter the aerodynamics of HGV missiles.
• Communication Blockage: The extreme heat can also block communication between the missile and satellites or other external control systems, limiting the missile’s controllability.