In the second half of the last century, the world was kept from a global catastrophe by the nuclear parity of the two superpowers - the USSR and the United States, which implied guaranteed mutual destruction in the event of hostilities. In our time, fundamentally new weapons are being created, which are much more dangerous and destructive than nuclear ones. We are talking about hypersonic systems.
With a swing speed
What are hypersonic weapons? These are the latest systems capable of moving at a speed much higher than the speed of sound - 6,000 kilometers per hour. This makes such weapons invulnerable to modern missile defense systems, no matter how technically advanced they are.
Another important advantage of hypersound is that it significantly reduces the time to make a decision on a retaliatory strike. In conditions when the entire strategic command is locked into the head of state, the possibilities for an effective response are significantly reduced.
Antimissiles are useless
Until recently, in the conditions of the domination of nuclear weapons, states defended their territories with the help of an anti-missile defense system, which includes means of detection, warning and the anti-missiles themselves. The task of the missile defense is to have time to destroy the enemy warhead before it hits the target.
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The problem is that even the most modern missile defense systems are geared towards missiles flying along ballistic trajectories. Their flight is calculated: the place of a hypothetical strike of a potential enemy is calculated, after which forces sufficient to repel the attack are concentrated there.
This does not work with hypersonic weapons. Its speed, many times exceeding the mark of five thousand kilometers per hour, does not leave time to react accordingly. The use of hypersonic weapons allows you to destroy the nuclear shield of any enemy in a matter of minutes without the threat of retaliation.
Thus, the nuclear arsenals accumulated by some of the world powers become simply useless. The invulnerability and colossal speed of hypersonic weapons are what makes them more dangerous than nuclear weapons. In addition, no computer, even the most powerful, is capable of calculating the constantly changing trajectory of hypersonic missiles.
The disappearance of the deterrent factor in this case dramatically increases the likelihood of a preventive attack. It may be tempting to use hypersound to deliver a quick and effective strike and disarm the enemy in order to force him to favorable conditions.
Russian developments
Rumors about Russia creating its own supersonic weapons have been circulating for a long time. The Ministry of Defense did not deny this. President Vladimir Putin dotted all the i's. On March 1, 2018, he delivered a traditional message to the Federal Assembly. Among other things, the head of state presented the latest supersonic systems, which very soon should become the basis of the country's defense.
Thus, the president commented on a video demonstrating the Avangrad hypersonic complex, capable of flying in the dense layers of the atmosphere. Its speed is more than 20 mach, or about 25 thousand kilometers per hour. The winged unit can maneuver, deviate from a given trajectory for a thousand kilometers. Such significant amplitudes make the Avangard unattainable for any missile defense system.
The first carriers of the hypersonic complex will be SS-19 Stilett missiles. In the future, after the adoption of the new heavy missiles RS-28 "Sarmat", "Avangard" will be installed on them.
What does the States have?
The Americans, in turn, continue testing the X-51A Waverider hypersonic cruise missile. True, its speed is much lower than that of the Avangard - no more than 7.5 thousand kilometers per hour (about six strides).
The Pentagon plans to use the missile as part of a rapid global strike strategy, which implies the ability to attack any target around the globe within one hour.
The main targets in Washington are called North Korea and terrorist groups that can seize weapons of mass destruction. However, Russia and China believe that the latest American development could be directed against them as well.
Ivan Proshkin