3 Most Terrible Hypersonic Missiles in the World
International Military - A number of countries develop their military power by creating hypersonic missiles. Hypersonic missiles are designed with high speeds that are difficult for radar to detect. Here are the most terrible hypersonic missiles in the world.
1. Kinzhal Hypersonic Missile
The Kh-47 M2 Kinzhal is a Russian hypersonic missile. Kinzhal means dagger. This nuclear capable hypersonic aero ballistic air-to-ground missile has a range of 1,500-2,000 kilometers. The Kinzhal missile can carry a nuclear payload of up to 480 kilograms, which is 33 times that of the Fat Man bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Experts believe that the Kinzhal concept originates from the Iskandar M short-range ground-launched ballistic missile.
Kinzhal can accelerate to speeds of 4,900 kilometers per hour and is believed to reach speeds of 12,350 kilometers per hour. In addition, Kinzhal is believed to have the capacity to carry out deep attacks. In 2018, this weapon was launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin said the Kinzhal is a weapon that can travel 10 times the speed of sound and can overcome air defense systems.
2. AGM-183A Hypersonic Missile
The AGM-183A missile is a missile made in the United States. For the first time, this missile was launched using a B-52H Stratofortress aircraft off the coast of California, United States in December 2022. The ARRW (Air launched Rapid Response Weapon) team succeeded in designing and testing it within five years until it was finally launched.
The AGM-183A Hypersonic Missile has a speed of Mach 5 or five times the speed of sound. In addition, the missile can also maneuver along its trajectory. The AGM-183A is a boost glide vehicle, using booster rockets to accelerate projectiles to hypersonic. This capability and speed makes the missile difficult to detect or defeat with air defense systems.
3. Zircon Hypersonic Missile
Zircon is a hypersonic missile belonging to Russia. This sophisticated missile can glide at a speed of 11,000 kilometers per hour. The missile is installed on warships and submarines. The missile with the official name 3M22 Zircon is designed as an anti-ship missile with a launch location from the sea. In 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin made it official for the first time. Then in January 2020, the Zircon missile conducted its first test launch from the Admiral Gorshkov frigate.
Zircon missiles can fly at hypersonic speeds reaching Mach 9 or 11,000 kilometers per hour. When traveling at that speed, the missile can still maintain maneuverability. With its speed capability, Zircon missiles are impossible to intercept.
The Zircon hypersonic missile also has a versatile function, namely attacking targets on the ground. Apart from functioning as a surface ship, it is also used for submarines. During launch, the missile is enveloped by a plasma cloud. It is known, this plasma cloud can absorb radio waves that make missiles invisible to radar.