Approved Discussion on Hypersonic Aircraft

[DeSchaine]

Well, lets look at a few related things. Firstly, it is NOT a simple matter to change course at supersonic speeds, let alone hypersonic. You're not going to be pulling a Split S, a Herbst or an Immelmann with any great effect at Mach 5. Just not going to happen. Because physics:


So, for an intercept comparison, lets use the Shahab-3. It's a Medium Range Ballistic Missile produced by Iran with a 1200 mi range and a top speed of about 2.4km/s and supposedly has rocket nozzle controls that allow it to change trajectory during re-entry and terminal phases. To defend against this, and other BM threats, Israel came up with the Arrow series of interceptors.

The Arrow 2 has a top speed of 2.5km/s with an operational range between 55 and 100 miles, with a dual mode IR and radar seeker based guidance system operating thrust vectoring and flight control fins. Because of this, it is considered to be an exoatmospheric capable weapon. The Arrow 2 has had around a dozen successful tests and in March of 2017, intercepted and destroyed a Russian made S-200 SAM that was fired at Israeli fighter aircraft.

Not good enough you say? Ok, the US and Japan have deployed the RIM-161 SM-3 Block IIA, a missile designed to work hand-in-glove with the Aegis system to defend against all BM threats. Operational Range is 1350 mi with a top speed of 4.5km/s and a similar guidance system setup.

Now, using Aegis in conjunction with other types of detection and tracking systems, developed from weather tracking technology of all things, Raytheon and Lockheed demonstrated to the DoD in 2000 that it is possible to detect, track and target a supersonic aircraft using temperature differential and air displacement as a guide for conventional tracking systems.

Rommy mentions that Chinese development of hypersonic tech is problematic, and this is true in comparatively short range engagement situations like attacks on ships. With long range strike missions, like those given to the B-1 and B-2 aircraft, possibility of detection becomes greater.

Something else to consider: as with any other first-strike capability, opposing systems would be directed to monitor facilities known to house those capabilities. Whiteman AFB in Missouri (home of the B-2s) is estimated to have as close to zero breaks in coverage as is technologically possible. Ditto Anderson AFB on Guam and Diego Garcia in the IO. When one of those things moves, there is a high probability that Moscow is watching where it's going.