Hypersonic Warfare: Is the U.S. Ready?

Abstract

This research study explores the major strategic and operational implications these weapons pose to the U.S., and shows they will forever alter the character of war by reshaping the concept of strategic deterrence, broadening the operational level of war, and transforming warfighting in general. Observation indicates hypersonic weapons will be a difficult technology to develop, but have the potential to create a long-term competitive advantage. The assessments provide evidence the U.S. hyperwar strategy should include elevated sensors, technologies to preserve critical decision space for national leadership, activities aimed to avoid escalation, arms control mechanisms, and a move towards defining the hyper level of war.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 15, 2020
Accession Number
AD1135858

Entities

People

  • Jon M Snyder

Organizations

  • National Defense University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Defense Systems
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Hypersonic Cruise Missiles
  • Hypersonic Glide Vehicles
  • Hypersonic Missiles
  • Hypersonic Weapons
  • Military Applications
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Prompt Global Strike
  • Treaties
  • United States Strategic Command
  • Warfare
  • Warning Systems

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Robotics and Automation.
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Hypersonics
  • Space