On trials and in service. World progress in the field of hypersonic weapons
Launch of a rocket with a warhead "Avangard". Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
In recent years, significant progress has been made in the field of combat hypersonic missile systems. Leading countries have completed experiments and research, as well as created and adopted several such systems with special combat capabilities. Other armies are trying to keep up. They are also developing similar systems and plan to deploy them in the foreseeable future.
Leaders of progress
Russia is the world leader in the development, production and implementation of hypersonic weapons. After several decades of research and experimentation, by the middle of the XNUMXs, our industry had developed and launched several advanced missile systems for testing at once. According to the results of the tests, they were recommended for adoption, and over the past few years they have been supplied to the troops.
So, at the end of 2017, the experimental combat duty of the first unit began on MiG-31K aircraft armed with the Kinzhal hypersonic aeroballistic missile. it weapon showed itself from the best side, as a result of which it was adopted and brought to full operation. At the same time, the number of missiles and carriers in service and on duty increased. In particular, the "Dagger" was integrated into the weapons complex of the Tu-22M3 long-range bomber.
Launch of the ship "Zircon". Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
At the end of 2019, the second domestic hypersonic complex, Avangard, was brought to combat duty, designed for the strategic missile forces. The first such weapon was received by one of the regiments of the Dombarovskaya division of the Strategic Missile Forces. It was reported about plans to re-equip other units and formations.
Last year, the development and testing of the advanced Zirkon hypersonic missile designed for the naval fleet. The industry has mastered the mass production of such products and began to supply them to the Navy. In addition, the deployment of missiles on standard carriers and full-fledged operation has begun. So, in early January, the frigate "Admiral Gorshkov" for the first time set off on a campaign with hypersonic weapons on board.
The Russian army was not only the first to receive hypersonic weapons, but also the first to use them outside the training grounds. So, last year, Kinzhal missiles were used several times to destroy Ukrainian targets. In particular, such a product, due to its high flight characteristics, was able to destroy an underground protected ammunition depot.
Parade formation of Chinese complexes DF-17. Photo Telegram / Vatfor
Some plans of the Ministry of Defense for the further development of domestic hypersonic weapons are known. So, in the foreseeable future, the Avangard complex will be rebuilt using a new rocket. The hypersonic warhead will be carried by the modern Sarmat ICBM with enhanced performance characteristics. The development and deployment of Zircon will continue. So far, only surface ships will receive this missile, but in the middle of the decade, the first underwater carrier will enter the Navy.
Chinese successes
China has and is developing its own hypersonic program. According to various sources, work in this direction started several decades ago. In the tenth years, according to foreign sources, the program reached the test of real prototypes. At the same time, the Chinese industry was in no hurry to talk about their successes.
On October 1, 2019, the newest mobile Dongfeng-17 hypersonic missile system was shown for the first time at a parade in Beijing. The parade crew included several such systems at once, which indicated the presence of mass production and the deployment of equipment in the missile forces. According to various sources, to date, DF-17s have been produced in a fairly large series and deployed in different regions of China.
An experimental product AGM-183A of American design. Photo by the US Department of Defense
Chinese science and industry have repeatedly demonstrated at exhibitions other samples of hypersonic technology, incl. potentially suitable for military use. Various tests have been reported. However, nothing is known about the emergence of new types of combat hypersonic systems. At the same time, it is obvious that work in this direction continues, and at any time they can show new interesting samples.
In the position of chasing
A number of other countries are developing hypersonic weapons, but their systems are not yet ready for adoption. First of all, this is the USA. In recent decades, they have implemented a lot of research and experimental programs and have accumulated the necessary data, on the basis of which real weapons are now being developed. However, none of the complexes being created is yet ready for operation.
In the interests of the US Air Force, the AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missile is being developed. In early December 2022, after a series of failures, her first successful test flight took place. Work continues, and in a few years the finished rocket may enter service.
Information about the LRHW complex. U.S. Department of Defense graphics
For land missile units, the LRHW Dark Eagle complex is being created. Pilot systems of this type have already been made, and personnel are now mastering them. The first test launches are scheduled for the new 2023. In the absence of serious problems, the LRHW will enter service in the coming years. In addition, the future rearmament of the Navy depends on the success of this project, for which a unified ammunition based on the LRHW is being created.
North Korea has made notable progress. In the fall of 2021, she announced the successful testing of a hypersonic complex similar to the Chinese DF-17. In January 2022, two more launches of such missiles took place. In addition, the mobile complex or its layout was demonstrated at one of the North Korean exhibitions.
These events show that the DPRK has the competencies and technologies for the development and production of fundamentally new weapons. However, the current status of the new project or projects is unknown. It is obvious that he, at least, reached the flight tests of missiles. Whether mass production has begun and whether ready-made complexes are being deployed among the troops is unclear.
Launch of a North Korean hypersonic missile, January 2022. Photo by KCNA
Other countries have also expressed their desire to develop their own hypersonic weapons. France, Japan, Australia and other states have plans of this kind. At the same time, their ability to conduct all the necessary research, gain the necessary experience and create a finished sample is at least questionable. It is possible that some of these countries will be able to solve such problems through cooperation with more developed allies, but the result is not guaranteed.
Hypersonic race
The advantages of hypersonic weapons are well known and it is understandable why it is of great interest to any army. A number of countries are striving to develop and adopt systems of this class, but not all have achieved the desired results so far. Only a few countries have workable complexes. At the same time, only Russia has created and brought to operation systems of different classes with different tasks and capabilities.
It is obvious that other countries will not stop developing their own projects and eventually get the required results. However, the timing of such work, the achievable level of performance, etc. remain in question. In addition, these states are already in the position of catching up, which is associated with well-known difficulties and limitations. Whether it will be possible to close the gap with the world leaders, time will tell.
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