I’ve just read on a reliable feed that a cargo ship called the Hyperion Ray has been hit by an Iranian missile.
https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/us-news/us-tests-hypersonic-missile.html
This article above says that HYPER sonic missiles can fly at 17 times the speed of sound. It’s published datesas the 17th.
When I started looking at the name of the ship it’s name is derived from Biblical origins so don’t know if there is more to this.
The ship definitely exists is currently in the Arabian Sea and is being protected by a Belgian Frigate.
Hypersonic just means over Mach 6. There are different variations to achieving that and various ranges. The reason to use is... power projection. Countries want on that is the real deal. Speed, seeker, and warhead because there aren't any that are fully operationally capable to hit ships. Prove one works and the world scrambles to get one and spend billions for defensive capabilities