Russia says it has fired at least two hypersonic missiles at targets in Ukraine and both apparently found their mark. Western analysts seem to agree with the Russian claim, meaning it’s likely the first use of this class of weapon in combat. The Kinzhal (Dagger) missiles were dropped by MiG-31 jets and destroyed a missile and aircraft ammunition depot and fuel storage facility. The Russians claim the Kinzhal flies at Mach 10 and is able to change course throughout its trajectory. That makes them hard to shoot down and the high speed of the impact makes them effective on fortified targets. They can also carry nuclear warheads.
Western analysts are more intrigued than concerned with the use of the weapons in Ukraine. The Kinzhals are not just hypersonic, they’re hyper expensive and their use on significant but relatively ordinary targets suggests a publicity stunt or an indication that the Russians are running out of regular missiles. Regardless of the reason, their use is adding impetus to the U.S.’s quest for similar capability. The first hypersonic weapon in the U.S. inventory will be ship borne, however.
Or they used it to prove they have them and they’re operational. It was a demonstration to ward off expanded NATO intervention.
Jab jab jab right-hook?
I thought they were ship launched. The Russians saw how effective our portable anti tank equipment really is against all their armor which was probably a shock, and now we see how effective their latest rocket artillery is. But mach 10? I doubt it. Besides it more important to spend US military tax dollars on woke equity sensitivity training than on keeping our arsenal up to date.
Lose your politics here please Dale. Thanks in advance.
2021 U.S. hypersonic missile development budget: $3,200,000,000 (3.2 billion)
2021 U.S. military diversity/equity/inclusion training cost: $476,874
Yup, that’s the problem. Spending almost 7,000 times more money just wasn’t enough. Never mind that we spent the last two decades fighting barely-armed insurgents in the desert, and so were developing ways to stop IEDs and other asymmetric-warfare problems. Or that we were blasted for wasting money lobbing million-dollar cruise missiles at Gaddafi’s tent in Libya, when low-tech was better.
What are the stats in personhours expended on the task?