US steps up development of hypersonic weapons to counter Russia
The US Department of Defense is increasing financial resources to compete with Russia and China in the field of hypersonic weapons.
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US B-52 launches X-43A hypersonic vehicle in 2001. Photo:NASA. |
Steven Walker, director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the US Department of Defense, said yesterday that the agency has received additional funds for the development of hypersonic weapons in the context that Russia has just revealed that it is mass producing this type of weapon, according toSputnik.
DARPA, the US Air Force and NASA have been working together for years to develop hypersonic technology, but progress has been slow due to funding constraints.
"We understand that we are competing with countries like Russia and China," Mr. Walker declared during a meeting with a group of American defense and security reporters.
Director Walker said the funding boost was a positive first step toward advancing hypersonic weapons, and expressed hope that testing of the weapon would begin in 2019.
In the state of the union messageMarch 1,Russian President Vladimir PutinMoscow has made significant advances in missile technology, including developing an invincible hypersonic weapon that can overcome any existing defense systems, he said.
The Pentagon later said it was not surprised by the Russian President's announcement, and affirmed that it was fully prepared to deal with any situation.