Hypersonic weapons have become a key focus in modern military competition.
Capable of traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5, these missiles can evade most existing defense systems, making them highly sought after by global powers.
The United States, Russia, and China have all been working on developing and deploying their own versions of these advanced weapons.
During an interview with Fox News, Donald Trump claimed that Russia obtained U.S. hypersonic missile technology through espionage during the Obama administration.
Not the First Time
According to Trump, an unidentified individual gave Moscow access to classified designs, helping Russia accelerate its own hypersonic missile program.
He did not provide specific details but insisted that the U.S. is now developing superior "super-hypersonic missiles" to counter any advantage Russia or other nations may have gained.
This is not the first time Trump has made such accusations, according to WP.
In 2023, he suggested that Russia had stolen American hypersonic technology, a claim the Kremlin denied.
Other officials, including John Bolton, a former U.S. national security advisor, have also suggested that Moscow may have acquired secret information related to hypersonic missile development.
The U.S. has faced delays in its own hypersonic weapons program.
The Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), known as Dark Eagle, has taken longer to develop than expected. Meanwhile, both Russia and China have already deployed hypersonic missiles.
China has introduced the DF-27 missile and the YJ-21 air-launched variant. Russia’s hypersonic arsenal includes the Kinzhal ballistic missile, the 3M22 Zircon anti-ship missile, and the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle.
The Kremlin recently unveiled a new hypersonic missile, Oreshnik, though details about its capabilities remain unclear.
Russia claims that Avangard can travel at speeds above Mach 20, maneuvering unpredictably to avoid interception. The Kinzhal, launched from MiG-31K fighter jets, can reach Mach 10 with a range of about 2,000 kilometers.
The Zircon, designed for naval use, is intended to target aircraft carriers and critical military infrastructure.
