I find that narrative that the Russians are ahead of us in hypersonic tech dubious. In the 1960s the SR 71 flew at 3/5ths hypersonic speed (Mach 3, hypersonic is Mach 5) and the rumored replacement, the SR 72, is fully hypersonic.
So 60+ years ago we had a MANNED craft that was nearly hypersonic but now we dont have UNMANNED missiles that are? Like I said, dubious.
Right now the Russians have hypersonic missiles with greater range than anything in the NATO arsenal but it is hard to gauge exactly IF that is even true.
I find that narrative that the Russians are ahead of us in hypersonic tech dubious. In the 1960s the SR 71 flew at 3/5ths hypersonic speed (Mach 3, hypersonic is Mach 5) and the rumored replacement, the SR 72, is fully hypersonic.
So 60+ years ago we had a MANNED craft that was nearly hypersonic but now we dont have UNMANNED missiles that are? Like I said, dubious.
Right now the Russians have hypersonic missiles with greater range than anything in the NATO arsenal but it is hard to gauge exactly IF that is even true.