Is A Hypersonic Missile Worth $3.8 Billion? The Value of Hypersonics

1 Views

0 Likes

September 27, 2021

Is A Hypersonic Missile Worth $3.8 Billion? The Value of Hypersonics

Video Summary

The development of hypersonic weapons is an increasingly growing concern, with Russia and China leading the charge. The US, which once led the way in hypersonic testing back in the early 2000s, has since fallen behind, but is now catching up with a significant boost in funding. The question is, are these weapons worth it? Can they really perform missions that less expensive, slower-moving weapons can’t?

The benefits of hypersonic weapons are clear – speed, with some able to reach targets at five times the speed of sound or greater. This means that even slower hypersonic weapons can hit targets quickly, while others can’t. But there’s more to consider. ICBMs, for example, are faster, but fly high and can be detected early. Hypersonic cruise missiles and glide vehicles, on the other hand, can fly lower and are harder to detect. They’re also highly maneuverable, making them difficult to stop.

But are they worth the costs? We don’t know the exact cost of each individual missile, as Russia and China don’t release that information, and the US is still in the testing phase. However, a rough estimate puts the cost of a single hypersonic missile at $13.4 million.

The bigger question is whether these weapons can replace less expensive, less complex options. For example, the JASM, a subsonic cruise missile with a range of over 1,000 miles, costs $1.35 million per unit. Hypersonic weapons may be able to hit targets quickly, but at a significantly higher cost.

It’s also important to consider the development costs of hypersonic weapons. Developing and testing this technology requires significant investment, and the benefits may not be worth the costs. For example, the US is spending $3.8 billion on hypersonic weapons in 2022 alone – money that could be used to buy 2,815 JASMs.

The role of hypersonic weapons is also up for debate. Some see them as a strategic deterrence tool, perhaps even with nuclear weapons. Others see them as a way to hit quickly-moving targets. The concern is that anti-ballistic missile systems could negate the effectiveness of entire ICBM forces, leading to a focus on developing hypersonic weapons. However, with no plans to develop such a system, this concern seems unfounded.

So, are hypersonic weapons worth it? It’s up to governments and taxpayers to decide. With a hypersonic arms race underway, and no one wanting to be left behind, hypersonic weapons will likely be developed. But will they be a valuable addition to military arsenals, or just an expensive indulgence? Only time will tell.