Does the US Navy need to start anew in developing hypersonic weapons? Observer | Shao Yongling | Hypersonic
According to US media reports, the US Navy has announced a funding of $116 million to commission Lockheed Martin and Raytheon to develop hypersonic anti-ship missiles.
Previously, the US Navy and Army had jointly launched a hypersonic weapon program called "Conventional Rapid Strike". Why do we have to start anew this time? What is special about this type of anti-ship missile?
Hypersonic air launched anti-ship cruise missile
According to the report, according to the contract signed with the US Navy, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon will each propose two different designs to participate in bidding during the initial development phase. The selected designs by the US Navy will be further developed by the end of 2024.
Military observer Shao Yongling predicts that the design of this hypersonic anti-ship missile in the future is likely to use a scramjet engine, which is an air launched anti-ship cruise missile with low altitude penetration capability.
Shao Yongling:
The range of this anti-ship missile is about 500 kilometers, and it can fly at ultra-low altitude with good concealment, which is a very important selling point. This missile uses a scramjet engine with full power and precise control. It is mounted on a fighter jet and is essentially an air launched anti-ship cruise missile.
Urgent need for effective anti-ship measures
Shao Yongling further analyzes and believes that currently, the anti-ship missiles of the US Navy are all subsonic. With the improvement of the technical and tactical performance of the opponent's surface vessels, the US Navy believes that there is an urgent need for an effective anti-ship means to break through the opponent's defense, and hypersonic weapons may be a good choice.
Shao Yongling:
Although subsonic anti-ship missiles have better low altitude performance, they have longer flight times, weaker penetration capabilities, and are relatively easy to intercept.
Now the US Navy believes that the opponent's surface vessels are becoming increasingly powerful in terms of technical and tactical performance, and subsonic missiles cannot meet their needs, requiring more effective anti-ship measures.
Hypersonic weapon anxiety disorder
The US military is currently developing numerous hypersonic weapon projects, including the "Conventional Rapid Strike" project jointly launched by the US Navy and Army.
Regarding the motivation for developing this hypersonic anti-ship weapon separately, military observer Shao Yongling stated that the "conventional rapid strike" project mainly targets land targets, and the US Navy urgently needs to enhance its anti-ship capabilities. At present, there have been repeated reports of unsuccessful progress in the development of hypersonic weapons by the US military. Therefore, starting from scratch this time is also a manifestation of the US military's anxiety.
Shao Yongling:
The US Navy and Army have jointly launched a hypersonic weapon program called "Conventional Rapid Strike", which may not be able to develop combat capabilities until after 2025, or even in 2027. This type of weapon is targeted at land targets and cannot be used for anti-ship purposes. This is one of the most important reasons for the development of hypersonic anti-ship cruise missiles by the US military.
Other countries have developed hypersonic weapons, putting great pressure on the United States. The US Congress is very sensitive and anxious about the loss of a leading position in a certain military field. This anxiety will turn into pressure for the military, and the military needs to prove itself. Therefore, the US military has launched multiple hypersonic weapon projects.
However, haste makes waste. If the stall is too large, it will actually delay the progress of weapon development.
