US Air Force shows off live hypersonic missile

By Dean Murray via SWNS

The US military has shown off what appears to be a live hypersonic missile.

Recent images show B-52 Stratofortress crews participating in "hypersonic weapon familiarisation training" at Anderson Air Base, Guam.

America's hypersonic capabilities have been unclear, but the missile on display in the 27 February event features two yellow stripes, usually denoting a live armament.

US hypersonic technology is believed to lag behind China’s, however, the location of Guam reveals America may have hypersonic armaments strategically placed near the Chinese mainland.

Such weapons are capable of traveling at hypersonic speed, defined as between 5 and 25 times the speed of sound, making them difficult to detect and intercept.

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) said in a statement: "The participating crews received expert academics and training on hypersonic fundamentals and participated in tactical discussion on hypersonic operations to increase operational readiness and prepare multiple Air Force aircraft communities for hypersonics including the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, and other programs under development."

The crews were said to have focused on the fundamentals of hypersonics, operational and logistics considerations, and in-depth tactical discussions.

The USAF adds: "The Department of Defense is developing hypersonic science and technology to ensure the U.S. can rapidly field operational hypersonic systems.

"The Air Force will continue to invest in researching, developing, testing, producing, and fielding cost-effective weapons. These weapons are a mix of stand-off, stand-in, hypersonic, and subsonic precision-guided munitions.

"The Air Force also continues to develop revolutionary advanced weapon capabilities to maintain a competitive advantage over the pacing challenge."