The US conducted a successful test related to the development of hypersonic weapons

It happened on Wednesday local time at the Wallops Proving Ground in Virginia. The missile was loaded with 11 different experiments designed to test and collect data for hypersonic weapons research in support of the joint Army-Navy program, the Navy said.

This was the second test conducted under the program aimed at developing sea- and land-based hypersonic capabilities. The first test took place in October 2021, CNN recalls.

In this test, a rocket was launched from the launch pad, which conducted various experiments to collect data and information about the components of hypersonic rockets, including heat-resistant materials and high-end electronics.

“Today’s launch went extremely well,” said Vice Admiral Johnny Wolfe, director of the Strategic Systems Programs Division, who oversaw the test.

“We have collected all the data we wanted”. The second missile is scheduled for launch Thursday and will carry out an additional 13 experiments designed to develop hypersonic weapons, the Navy said.

Data gathered from these tests will help develop the Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic system and the Army’s long-range hypersonic weapon. Both programs will use the Common Hypersonic Glide Body, a projectile carried on top of a launch vehicle that moves toward the target at high speed.

Hypersonic weapons travel at speeds of around 6,400 km/h, making them difficult to detect and intercept in time.

The missiles can also maneuver and change altitude, allowing them to evade missile defense systems.

The Pentagon has made the development of hypersonic weapons one of its top priorities after China successfully launched hypersonic missiles last year and Russia began using them in the war in Ukraine.

After China tested a hypersonic weapon in 2021, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley called the test “a very significant technological event” that is just one element of China’s military capabilities.