US tests hypersonic missile in Pacific as it aims to keep up with China and Russia | CNN
US Air Force tests hypersonic cruise missile in Pacific to showcase competitiveness to China.
- Bilawal Riaz
- 1 min read
The US Air Force conducted its first test of a hypersonic cruise missile in the Pacific, aiming to show China that it remains competitive in this field. The missile, known as the All-Up-Round AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), was launched from a B-52 bomber out of Guam and consists of a rocket booster motor and hypersonic glide vehicle. Hypersonic weapons travel faster than Mach 5, making them hard to detect and intercept. While China and Russia are ahead in hypersonic technology, this test signals the US commitment to matching their pace. The future of the ARRW model is uncertain, with the recent test potentially being its last.