Pentagon official: The United States has attempted a test launch of hypersonic weapons
The United States has attempted a test launch of hypersonic weapons. This is reported by RIA Novosti with reference to an American military official.
American military official
The agency's interlocutor did not specify whether the launch was successful. He said that as a result of the tests, important data was obtained for further development of the United States in the field of hypersonic weapons.
In mid-July, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder announced that the United States plans to accelerate the implementation of its hypersonic missile development and testing programs.
The Pentagon was accused of opacity in the development of hypersonic weapons
The Pentagon does not inform Congress well about the development of supersonic weapons, "billions of dollars" have already been spent on its creation, but the total cost of the program is unknown. This is stated in the report of the Accounting Chamber of the US government.
Report of the U.S. Accounting Chamber
The auditors noted that the cost of hypersonic weapons is "difficult to calculate" due to limited experience in its development. At the same time, they believe that the cost and risks of disrupting the program schedule can be reduced by following leading practices.
The Accounting Chamber stressed that providing comprehensive information would help Congress better understand and control the development of hypersonic weapons.
The United States estimated the timing of the appearance of the first hypersonic weapon in the army
In June, Congress announced that the first hypersonic weapon would be available to the US army no earlier than 2025, if successful tests take place before December 31.
The Accounting Chamber clarified that the US military failed to achieve its goal of deploying its first battery of hypersonic LRHW (Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon) missiles. The report says that during the last two tests in 2023, problems with the launcher and the launch procedure were identified.
Prior to that, the Minister of the Air Force (Air Force) The United States Frank Kendall explained that the military has some difficulties with additional testing of hypersonic weapons.
Frank Kendall Secretary of the United States Air Force
He added that the United States has made "significant investments" to develop the infrastructure to conduct such tests.
In March, the United States tested the AGM-183 ARRW hypersonic cruise missile, it was launched from a B-52H strategic bomber that took off from Andersen Air Base in Guam. The military called the tests successful and noted that the launch brought valuable information aimed at expanding the range of hypersonic weapons programs.
Also in March, it became known that the US military will test the hypersonic missile Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) in 2024. In October, The Drive wrote that the military showed HACM in the photo for the first time.
In early June, the United States conducted a test launch of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The test took place at the Vandenberg base of the United States Air Force in California.
