Interception Damage... The Massive Hypersonic Missiles of Various Countries [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The United States, Russia, and neighboring countries around the Korean Peninsula are all developing hypersonic missiles. Some countries have already deployed hypersonic missiles in actual combat, and North Korea is also suspected of having development capabilities.

The reason countries are developing hypersonic missiles is due to missile defense systems. With the advancement of missile interceptors such as the high-altitude missile defense system THAAD and the SM-3 surface-to-air missile, the intention is to develop faster missiles that can evade these interception systems. The United States and Japan are jointly developing the SM-3 Block 2A with a speed of Mach 15. Before the Block 2A is deployed, there are virtually no interceptors capable of countering hypersonic missiles.

Russia has already deployed the 'Avangard' hypersonic missile in actual combat. The unit operating the Avangard missile is known to belong to the Strategic Missile Forces in the Dombarovsky region of Orenburg Oblast in southern Russia.

The Avangard, a type of intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), is known to have a maximum speed exceeding Mach 20 (24,480 km/h) and a range of over 6,000 km. It can carry up to 16 independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), each with a yield ranging from 100 to 900 kt (equivalent to 1,000 tons of TNT). Russia claims that this missile flies at hypersonic speeds at altitudes between 8,000 and 50,000 meters and can perform trajectory maneuvers, making interception impossible.

Russia is also reported to have already deployed another hypersonic missile called 'Kinzhal' (Dagger). The Kinzhal, which can be mounted on the MiG-31 fighter jet, is a strategic weapon deployed by the Russian Air Force, reportedly flying at speeds ten times the speed of sound (12,240 km/h). The Kinzhal has a range of 2,000 km and can carry nuclear or conventional warheads.

The Russian Aerospace Forces successfully conducted the first launch test from a MiG-31 in March 2018 and are reportedly testing this missile on the long-range bomber Tu-22M3. Additionally, Russia is developing the Mach 9 hypersonic missile 'Tsirkon' with a range exceeding 1,000 km.

Russia deploys 'Avangard' in Strategic Missile Forces
China unveils nuclear warhead ballistic missile Dongfeng-17
U.S. converts new strategic long-range artillery to hypersonic
North Korea aims for speed to evade our military's defense strategy

China first showcased the Dongfeng-17 ballistic missile at the 70th anniversary military parade last October. The Dongfeng-17 is equipped with a nuclear warhead hypersonic glide vehicle capable of reaching speeds ten times the speed of sound and can adjust its trajectory during flight, enabling it to penetrate enemy air defense systems.

The main developer of China's hypersonic weapons, the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), developed the IRBM 'Dongfeng-26,' known as the 'Guam Killer,' capable of striking the U.S. base in Guam from mainland China at speeds up to Mach 10. The 'Xingkong (Starry Sky)-2' hypersonic glide vehicle tested in August 2018 reached speeds of Mach 6 (7,344 km/h).

The United States showed interest in hypersonic weapon systems earliest but is the slowest to deploy them in actual combat. In the 1960s, the X-15 experimental aircraft successfully flew with a human onboard at hypersonic speeds, and in 2011, experiments with the Advanced Hypersonic Weapon (AHW) were conducted.

However, these programs were canceled, and recently development has resumed rapidly. The U.S. Army allocated over $1 billion in the 2020 fiscal year budget to develop ground-launched hypersonic missiles to enhance its firepower in the Pacific theater. Plans are also underway to convert new strategic long-range artillery for hypersonic warheads, with U.S. media projecting these forces could be deployed by 2023.

Additionally, CNBC reported in August 2018 that Lockheed Martin secured a $480 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to develop a hypersonic weapon prototype. This development is scheduled to conclude by November next year. In April of the same year, Lockheed Martin had already secured a $928 million (approximately 1 trillion KRW) contract to develop hypersonic conventional strike weapons. The U.S. issuing two hypersonic weapon development contracts within four months is an effort to catch up with Russia and China, leaders in hypersonic weapon development.

North Korea is also likely developing hypersonic missiles. Samuel Greaves, director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), testified in April last year at a Senate Armed Services Committee Strategic Forces Subcommittee hearing on missile defense, expressing concerns that North Korea might develop hypersonic missiles like China and Russia.

Regarding the new strategic weapon that North Korean Workers' Party Chairman Kim Jong-un claimed would be seen soon at the party plenary meeting on December 31 last year, experts weigh the possibility of a 'multiple warhead ICBM' but also suggest that North Korea could be developing hypersonic missiles.

The latest surface-to-air guided missile 'KN-06' (Lightning No. 5), called the North Korean version of the Patriot, is based on Russian S-300 technology and reportedly flies at speeds of Mach 7 to 8. Experts assess that since North Korea possesses missile technology capable of Mach 7 to 8 speeds, the temptation to advance to the hypersonic stage is significant.

Hypersonic missiles fly at speeds of Mach 7 to 8, which is about three times faster than high-altitude missile defense systems such as THAAD and SM-3 surface-to-air missiles, making interception impossible. They cannot be intercepted even by the Patriot missiles currently held by the military. The speed of the latest PAC-3 MSE (Missile Segment Enhancement) interceptor missile, which the military is acquiring from the U.S., is about Mach 4 to 5.