Amid the increasing number of countries obtaining hypersonic weapons, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia have agreed to jointly accelerate the testing of hypersonic technology. This also signifies a new level of cooperation among the AUKUS partners.
On Monday, the new agreement was signed by the US, UK, and Australia, allowing the use of each other’s hypersonic weapons testing facilities and sharing information required for the development and manufacturing of such technology.
The US Department of Defense stated in a released statement that under the second pillar of AUKUS, the countries have initiated the “Hypersonic Flight Test and Experimentation” (HyFliTE) program, with a budget of 2.52 billion dollars, planning 6 trilateral test flights by 2028.
HyFliTE aims to integrate the research and development achievements of the three countries, accelerate the testing speed, reduce individual development costs, deter adversaries such as China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, and enhance collective security.
Heidi Shyu, the US Deputy Secretary of Defense responsible for research and engineering development, mentioned, “Through a series of robust trilateral testing and experimentation, we will enhance our collective capability to develop and deliver offensive and defensive hypersonic technologies, accelerating the development of hypersonic concepts and critical enabling technologies.”
Shyu also pointed out, “The cooperation is speeding up the development of foundational enabling technologies, such as high-temperature materials, advanced propulsion systems, guidance, and control. Each technology is an essential part of hypersonic weapon systems and can strengthen operational capabilities.”
In recent years, all branches of the US military have invested in developing hypersonic weapons, with the Army and Navy designing common glide bodies, and the Air Force engaging in multiple air-launched weapon projects.
UK Defense Minister John Healey stated, “This agreement we have reached with our US and Australian partners is a milestone and underscores the commitment of AUKUS partners to maintaining a leading edge in defensive technology.”
“This effort will put us ahead of adversaries on the battlefield, enhancing our collective security and helping to maintain peace and stability in an increasingly complex and dangerous world,” added Healey.
Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist, Tanya Monro, expressed, “Through conducting strong and powerful testing and experimentation under the second pillar of AUKUS, this agreement will accelerate Australia’s capability to develop and deliver offensive and defensive hypersonic technology.”
“Tapping into our collective expertise and innovative efforts, HyFliTE will rapidly deliver hypersonic capabilities,” Monro added.
Recently, India announced successful testing of hypersonic weapons. Reports also suggest that North Korea and Iran have successfully conducted test flights. Japan, Israel, South Korea, and Brazil are also actively engaged in the development of hypersonic weapons.
Hypersonic weapons are long-range attack missiles capable of reaching speeds five times the speed of sound (Mach 5), approximately 6,200 kilometers per hour.
Although existing ballistic missiles can reach this speed, hypersonic weapons possess high maneuverability, making them easier to command and control during flight. Ballistic missiles typically follow a fixed trajectory and maintain a preset course once the fuel is depleted.
Russia began researching hypersonic weapon technology in the 1980s and became the first country to utilize such weapons in combat. It was reported that in March 2019, Russia launched at least one hypersonic missile towards targets in Ukraine.
US military officials indicated that Beijing is researching hypersonic cruise missiles and gliding aircraft, with at least one missile capable of carrying these weapons.
(Parts of this article were sourced from English Epoch Times reports)