Pentagon: satellites for tracking hypersonic weapons will be launched by the United States this yearThe US military plans to launch satellites into orbit in 2023 to monitor hypersonic weapons.
This was announced on May 9 by the director of the US Missile Defense Agency, Vice Admiral John Hill.
Speaking at a hearing in the Senate Armed Services Committee, he said that a hypersonic weapons and ballistic missiles tracking sensor in space is currently being developed (Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor satellite grouping — Ed.).
"Later this year, HBTSS will begin work in orbit to demonstrate the unique tracking and targeting capabilities of hypersonic launches," Hill continued.
According to the head of the Agency, during the 2024 fiscal year, the satellites will participate in flight tests and in collecting data on real threats.
Prior to that, on April 14, American employees successfully tested a prototype of a short-range laser missile defense system, which is designed to destroy unmanned aerial vehicles.
Earlier, the Defense News portal reported that the US Air Force conducted a test launch of a prototype hypersonic cruise missile Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (AGM-183A ARRW) of the air–to-ground class on March 13. It was noted that the test was the second launch of the ARRW combat prototype and focused on the comprehensive characteristics of the weapon."
In October 2022, Reuters reported that the Pentagon had successfully tested hypersonic weapon components. According to the agency, navigation equipment and communication work of hypersonic weapons were evaluated, as well as materials resistant to heating in a realistic hypersonic environment.
However, according to the congressional report, American radars are not able to track Chinese and Russian hypersonic missiles, despite the fact that active work is underway in this direction.
