“An Emerging Threat: The Impact of Hypersonic Weapons on National Security, Crisis
Instability, and Deterrence Strategy”
By Rylie White
INTRODUCTION
In the 20th century, the nuclear bomb was viewed by the public as one of the single
largest threats to human existence; even in the past few years, media and expert discussions
involving national security greatly focus on the threat of global nuclear conflict. However,
technological advancements in hypersonic flight have given rise to an entirely new class of
weapons that will exacerbate this threat to international peace and security. In 2017, Air Force
General John Hyten, head of U.S. Strategic Command reported that China and Russia are
“aggressively pursuing” hypersonic weapons and, when discussing United States missile defense,
stated, “We don't have any defense that could deny the employment of such a weapon against us.”
1
Hypersonic weapons are characterized by their capacity to travel at and maintain speeds
higher than Mach 5, or 5 times the speed of sound. Two types of hypersonic weapons are
currently in development: Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs), which operate similar to existing
subsonic cruise missiles and are sustained by aerodynamic lift, and Hypersonic Glide Vehicles
(HCVs) which are launched on a ballistic missile, but are released to quickly re-enter the
atmosphere in order to “glide” at a flatter trajectory to their target. Both types of vehicles can be
maneuvered during flight, and their targets and trajectory may be altered.
2
The high speed, maneuverability, and relatively low altitudes at which hypersonic
weapons fly make them a serious threat to United States national security and to the security of
