Analysts of the US Congress Research Service published on August 25, an updated report “Hypersonic Weapons: Background Information and Questions for Congress”. The report results reflect the unaware of the United States to the wars of the future. Analysts recognized the lag in the development of American hypersonic weapons.
In the 2021 fiscal year, the US Department of Defense requested $ 3.2 billion on the development of hypersonic weapons. In 2022, the fiscal year is planned to increase this amount by 18.8 percent. Despite such financing volumes, the American military in service there is not a single hypersonic weapon system.
In the new report, the deadlines for the development of hypersonic complexes have not changed. Thus, the US ground troops can receive a prototype of the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon complex (LRHW) only in 2023 fiscal year, and by 2024 the fiscal year is planned to be completed. In turn, US Naval Forces will receive the first samples of the Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic complex (CPS) in 2025 fiscal year on OHIO submarines, and by 2028 the CPS will equip nuclear submarines of the Virginia Block V.
According to the report, the first hypersonic weapons will be received by the US Air Force – in the 2022 fiscal year, AGM-183 Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) missiles will be deployed. The US Air Force has already requested funding for purchasing the first 12 ARRW missiles. Rockets will be deployed in initial operational capacity.
The analysts of the US Congress reflected progress in the development of Russian hypersonic systems. Thus, the Hyperzvuk Base Rocket “Dagger” since 2017 is on pilot duty.
The first information on the tests of the Russian hypersonic missile “Zirkon” appeared in the US report back in 2019. During the Army-2021 forum, the Ministry of Defense of Russia signed with the Scientific and Production Association (NGO) of Mechanical Engineering The first contract for the supply of missiles.