The Hypersonic Frontier: Technological Prestige and Future Warfare
In the realm of cutting-edge military technology, hypersonic missiles have emerged as key players, both in terms of international prestige and potential future warfare. As they command the skies with unprecedented speed and maneuverability, these advanced weapons are increasingly seen as powerful tools in the arsenals of leading world powers. Among these powers, China, Russia, and the United States have each embarked on their own paths towards mastering hypersonic technology.
Russia, in a curious blend of innovation and opportunism, has capitalized on the buzz surrounding hypersonic weaponry by rebranding older systems. Simultaneously, the United States has invested heavily in the development of more than 70 advanced hypersonic weapons programs. China, however, appears to have taken an early lead, integrating hypersonic missiles into its burgeoning portfolio of anti-ship weapon systems, designed to keep American supercarriers at bay.
Despite this surge in interest, there remains significant confusion around the term “hypersonic.” Technically, the word describes an object traveling fast enough to affect the basic chemistry of the air it interacts with, a phenomenon that typically begins to occur at around Mach 5. This speed threshold has been informally dubbed the “hypersonic barrier,” even though there is no literal barrier involved.
Modern hypersonic missiles do indeed exceed Mach 5 speeds, but it is not speed alone that defines their unique capabilities. Ballistic missiles, including Germany’s V2 rocket from World War II, have achieved hypersonic speeds since their inception. The distinguishing feature of today’s hypersonic missiles is their ability to maneuver while moving at these high speeds. This is what sets apart a genuine hypersonic weapon, like China’s DF-ZF, from an air-launched ballistic missile, like the Kinzhal, which follows a predictable ballistic flight path and is therefore more susceptible to interception.
However, these advanced capabilities come with a substantial price tag. Pentagon reports suggest that the hypersonic missiles currently under development by the United States may cost up to $106 million each. For one-time-use weapons, this represents a considerable financial burden. But for countries like Russia and China, the high cost of these missiles can be justified as a strategic deterrent. After all, a $100 million missile is relatively inexpensive when its target might be a $13 billion aircraft carrier.
Despite these cost considerations, the value of hypersonic weapons in the American arsenal is a subject of ongoing debate. Given that China’s Navy lacks the logistical means to reach American shores, and America’s nuclear arsenal is already capable of breaching Russian air defenses, the necessity of fielding $100 million missiles is questionable. However, the introduction of a reusable hypersonic system could dramatically change this cost-value equation.
This is where Hermeus, a company founded in 2018, enters the narrative. With the ambitious goal of creating hypersonic aircraft for the commercial sector, and potentially transporting passengers across the Pacific in just 90 minutes, Hermeus is pushing the boundaries of aviation technology. What sets the company apart is not just its lofty aspirations, but its pragmatic approach to achieving them.
Hermeus has made a deliberate choice to avoid reinventing the wheel, opting instead for off-the-shelf components whenever possible. When the need arises for unique parts, they employ a variety of advanced 3D printers. This abundance of 3D printers not only streamlines the manufacturing process but also keeps costs down. Changes to the design do not require liaising with subcontractors or altering contracts or tooling. Instead, a design change simply necessitates printing a new part.
This cost-effective approach extends to the choice of power for their hypersonic aircraft. Hermeus is leveraging both innovative design strategies and advanced manufacturing technologies to redefine the boundaries of hypersonic flight.
In conclusion, the pursuit of hypersonic technology is much more than a high-stakes game of international one-upmanship. It is a journey into the future of warfare and possibly commercial aviation. As countries like the United States, China, and Russia invest heavily in this cutting-edge technology, companies like Hermeus are looking beyond the battlefield, imagining a world where hypersonic flight is commonplace, even in civilian airspace.
Hypersonic missiles, with their extraordinary speed and maneuverability, are already reshaping the strategic landscape. Yet, as we move further into the hypersonic era, it will be crucial to reconcile the immense potential of these weapons with the vast costs of developing them. The emergence of reusable hypersonic systems might well represent the next major breakthrough in this sphere, and companies like Hermeus could be at the forefront of this transformation. As we look towards this rapidly approaching future, it is clear that the hypersonic frontier is no longer a distant horizon, but a tangible reality.
