The Pentagon said Monday that the US Air Force has conducted a successful final test flight of the Hypersonic Airbreathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) missile.
“The DARPA-US Air Force Joint Concept for Hypersonic Airborne Weapons (HAWC) has completed another successful flight test,” the Pentagon said in a press release.
“The Lockheed Martin version of the rocket, with its Aerojet Rocketdyne scramjet, completed a program that accomplished all of its original missions. This was the last flight test for the HAWC and provides critical data to inform the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) of efforts to improve hypersonic technology.”
The Pentagon added that the hypersonic missile was once again flying at over Mach 5 at an altitude of over 60,000 feet and beyond 345 miles.
The report said the test flight demonstrated improved capabilities and performance, adding that the United States’ hypersonic portfolio now includes two possible air-breathing hypersonic missile designs from Lockheed Martin and Raytheon that they may further develop in the future.
Earlier in January, former US President Donald Trump said he would develop a new missile defense shield for the United States if he is re-elected president in 2024 to counter the growing threat posed by hypersonic missiles.
“There is no greater danger than the deadly threat of nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles,” Trump said in a video message. “When I am commander in chief… I will work with Congress and our great military leaders… to build a state-of-the-art next-generation missile defense shield.”
Trump likened such a system to the Iron Dome system used by Israel. Trump warned of the threat that hypersonic missiles, especially those armed with nuclear warheads, could pose to the US homeland. Earlier this month, US Senator John Cornyn said China and Russia were ahead of the US in hypersonic technology.
Trump said the world has become “significantly more dangerous” under current President Joe Biden. Trump also said that nuclear rhetoric was not used against the US during his administration, but that foreign adversaries are using it now because they don’t respect the current leadership.
According to Trump, World War III will make the First and Second World Chambers “very small battles.” Trump said the best way to prevent such a conflict is to prepare with technology and force.
The Space Force, established under the Trump administration, will play a vital role in the proposed effort, Trump added.
Source: Sputnik News
