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There were hopes the missiles were not what they were cracked up to be when in May Ukraine claimed to have destroyed half a dozen KH-47M2 Kinzhal missiles – another Russian hypersonic – using anti-missile systems widely assumed to be Patriot batteries loaned to Kyiv by America.
Russia said the claim was false, but the weapon is an early version and later models will be harder to dispatch.
The weapons typically fall into two categories – a powered variant which uses a particularly fast type of jet engine called a scramjet, or a projectile launched from high in the sky that bounces off the atmosphere to reach its target.
Either way, to develop a good defence against these weapons, a system must monitor a much larger area to detect and intercept them.
The only concession the missiles offer is that they are comparatively delicate because of the huge amounts of heat they must manage.
To destroy them, they can be hit directly, which is the hardest method because of the speed of the missile; they can be hit by a missile with a blast radius, which is messier because shrapnel and debris brings the danger of more destruction; or energy weapons can be used.
These can theoretically work by turning the missile into a large antenna and corrupting the electronics inside.
Eric Béranger, chief executive of MBDA, said the project will “contribute to reinforcing the sovereign missile systems industry in Europe, by sustaining and developing critical expertise, technologies and materials; thus boosting European industrial competitiveness”.
He added: “The technologies in the hypersonic domain are evolving, and it is a priority for MBDA to remain at the forefront of innovation, guiding Europe towards the most efficient solution to counter hypersonic threats.”
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