Amidst an intense aerial assault on Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported the use of Russia’s hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile, marking its third deployment in the war. This powerful weapon, capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads, struck the Bila Tserkva area, causing widespread damage to buildings, including residential structures and schools, and resulting in at least two fatalities. Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed the Oreshnik’s use, alongside other missile types, in strikes targeting Ukrainian military command and control facilities, air bases, and military industrial enterprises. The ministry asserted these actions were in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on civilian sites within Russia, a claim Ukraine has refuted, calling them propaganda.
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India has successfully test-fired a long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile (LR-AShM) off the Odisha coast, reaching a target at 1,500 km with speeds exceeding Mach 5. This indigenous, two-stage solid-propelled weapon, developed by DRDO, significantly enhances India’s anti-access/area-denial capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region. The missile’s advanced terminal guidance systems and low-altitude, quasi-ballistic trajectory allow it to evade radar detection and engage both static and moving targets with high precision, marking a substantial leap in indigenous defense innovation.
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US Central Command has requested the deployment of the long-delayed Dark Eagle hypersonic missile to the Middle East for potential use against Iran, aiming to strike ballistic-missile launchers located deep within the country. This move, if approved, would represent the first deployment of the US hypersonic missile, which is significantly behind schedule while Russia and China have already fielded their own versions. The request is driven by Iran’s relocation of its launchers beyond the range of existing Precision Strike Missiles, suggesting preparations for future escalations despite an ongoing ceasefire. The deployment would also signal to adversaries Russia and China that the US is finally acquiring a comparable strategic capability.
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Russia likely placing new hypersonic missiles at former airbase in Belarus, researchers find, and the news has a definite weight to it, doesn’t it? The core of the matter centers on the potential deployment of these new, nuclear-capable hypersonic ballistic missiles at an old airbase in eastern Belarus. This isn’t just about putting more hardware on a map; it’s about reshaping the balance of power, especially considering the implications for European security. And, well, let’s be honest, the word “hypersonic” itself often feels like a bit of a loaded buzzword, right?
The researchers, Jeffrey Lewis and Decker Eveleth, have zeroed in on the deployment, basing their assessment on satellite imagery from Planet Labs.… Continue reading
Russia has indicated it may supply Venezuela with advanced hypersonic missiles, including the Oreshnik and Kalibr, as tensions with the United States escalate in the region. This follows increased U.S. military presence near Venezuelan waters and reports of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro seeking military assistance from Russia, China, and Iran. The deployment of such missiles, capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads, could drastically increase tensions. The U.S. has not officially responded, but the possibility of such an action presents a significant escalation of rhetoric between the nations.
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Russia Fired the Zircon Hypersonic Missile During Military Drills
The recent reports of Russia firing its Zircon hypersonic missile during military drills are certainly generating a buzz. It’s hard not to be intrigued by this technology, even if the initial impressions are a bit mixed. This missile, first launched back in 2017, is designed to travel at incredible speeds – “hypersonic” means it can go faster than five times the speed of sound. While this capability is impressive on paper, there are some reported limitations that are worth considering.
One of the primary challenges with the Zircon seems to be its targeting capabilities at such extreme speeds.… Continue reading
Despite over $531 billion in government spending since 1962, resulting in largely ineffective missile defense systems, the current program boasts a budget exceeding $30 billion annually. The existing 44 ground-based interceptors are deemed insufficient, leading to an $18 billion contract for a replacement system. Claims of near-perfect protection against various missile threats, including hypersonic missiles, are made despite the historical lack of success in creating a truly reliable defense against long-range nuclear missiles. The substantial financial investment underscores the significant profit potential within the missile defense industry.
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France’s rearmament efforts include a €1.5 billion investment to reinstate nuclear weapons at the Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur air base near the German border by 2035, deploying F5 Rafale fighter jets and ASN4G hypersonic missiles. This strategic move, following discussions about France’s nuclear deterrent, will see the base’s personnel double to 2,000. Further bolstering its air power, France will order additional Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation. President Macron emphasized the necessity of continued defense preparedness in Europe.
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President Trump again asserted that Russia acquired US hypersonic missile plans, claiming theft occurred during the Obama administration. He specified that a “bad person” provided the designs to Russia, while simultaneously boasting of the US’s imminent development of superior hypersonic missiles. This claim echoes previous statements by Trump and former advisor John Bolton. The Kremlin previously denied the allegation, asserting independent development of their own technology.
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Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) has mass-produced the Ching Tien hypersonic cruise missile, boasting a range exceeding 2,000 km and potentially reaching targets as far as Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. To improve deployment, the military is procuring mobile launch vehicles, primarily from Czech manufacturer Tatra, for these missiles. This initiative, including the “Feiji No. 2” project, represents a significant advancement in Taiwan’s deep-strike capabilities, marking the first deployment of such long-range strategic weapons. The Ching Tien system’s extended range is achieved through upgrades from the earlier Ching Tien supersonic cruise missile.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood