Articles tagged with "hypersonic-missiles"
US awards $3.5 billion for satellites to track hypersonic missiles
The U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded approximately $3.5 billion in contracts to four companies—L3Harris Technologies, Lockheed Martin, Rocket Lab USA, and Northrop Grumman—to build 72 missile-tracking satellites for the Tracking Layer Tranche 3 segment of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). These satellites, scheduled for launch in fiscal year 2029, will enhance low Earth orbit (LEO) coverage to detect and track advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missiles traveling at speeds of Mach 5 or higher. Each satellite will be equipped with infrared sensors, optical communications terminals, Ka-band payloads, and an S-band backup system to ensure robust missile tracking capabilities. The constellation will be deployed across eight orbital planes and integrated with SDA’s Transport Layer, a mesh network designed to rapidly relay data to missile defense systems. This integration aims to provide near-continuous global coverage and improve the speed and
IoTsatellite-technologymissile-trackinghypersonic-missilesspace-defensecommunication-systemsaerospace-materialsPentagon studies China's hypersonic plan to defeat US carriers
The Pentagon’s leaked “Overmatch Brief” reveals that China’s military poses a significant threat to the US Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier strike groups, including the Gerald R. Ford-class carriers. Based on computer simulations, the assessment concludes that China could neutralize or sink these carriers through a multifaceted campaign combining ballistic and hypersonic missiles, cyberattacks, and anti-satellite operations. Chinese attacks on US satellites would degrade American targeting, communication, and navigation capabilities, leaving carrier groups vulnerable to coordinated missile salvos from land, sea, and air platforms. China’s missile arsenal includes up to 600 hypersonic missiles capable of high-speed, maneuverable flight, making interception extremely difficult. The brief highlights the complementary nature of China’s missile forces, where large numbers of lower-cost missiles saturate defenses while advanced systems penetrate them to deliver decisive strikes. This layered threat, supported by targeting data from satellites, radars, and unmanned aircraft, creates overlapping engagement zones that increase the likelihood of
energyhypersonic-missilesmilitary-technologyanti-ship-weaponscyber-operationssatellite-communicationdefense-systemsItaly plans new air defense to shield Europe from hypersonic missiles
Italian defense and aerospace company Leonardo has unveiled plans for the Michelangelo Dome, a multilayered, AI-driven air defense system designed to protect Europe from emerging threats such as hypersonic missiles, drone swarms, and naval attacks. Named after the famed Italian Renaissance artist, the system aims to safeguard critical infrastructure, urban areas, and territories through a modular, scalable, and multi-domain approach that integrates aerial, maritime, and ground defense capabilities. The Michelangelo Dome will leverage advanced data fusion and predictive algorithms to detect, track, and neutralize threats, even during large-scale coordinated attacks, with full operational capability targeted for 2028 and phased rollouts beforehand. The system reflects a strategic effort to enhance European and NATO defense autonomy amid evolving security challenges, particularly in response to Russia’s aggressive use of advanced weaponry in the Ukraine conflict. Leonardo’s CEO Roberto Cingolani emphasized the need for innovation and international cooperation in defense, highlighting Michelangelo Dome’s role in anticipating hostile activity and optimizing counter
robotartificial-intelligencedefense-technologydrone-swarmshypersonic-missilesmultilayered-air-defensemilitary-IoTUkraine uses WWII music to jam Russia's hypersonic Kinzhal missiles
Ukraine has developed an innovative electronic warfare (EW) system called "Lima" that effectively disrupts Russia’s hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, which are among Moscow’s most advanced weapons. The Kinzhal missile, capable of flying at Mach 5.7 with a 1,000-pound warhead over 300 miles, typically evades interception by conventional air defenses. However, Ukraine’s Lima system jams and spoofs the missile’s satellite navigation signals (GPS/GLONASS), causing the missile to rely on its inertial navigation system, which accumulates errors and leads to significant targeting deviations. Ukrainian forces have reportedly jammed or diverted about a dozen Kinzhals in recent weeks, with imagery showing missiles veering off course and missing intended targets by hundreds of yards. A unique aspect of Lima’s operation is its symbolic replacement of the missile’s navigation signal with the Ukrainian patriotic anthem “Our Father Is Bandera,” honoring WWII nationalist leader Stepan Bandera. This approach not only
energyelectronic-warfaremissile-jammingsatellite-navigationGPS-spoofinghypersonic-missilesdefense-technologyChina plans defense system with laser, missiles to counter drone swarms
China is developing an advanced, multilayered naval defense system designed to protect warships from large-scale drone swarm attacks, which pose a significant threat to expensive military vessels. Spearheaded by Professor Guo Chuanfu and his team at the PLA Navy’s Dalian Naval Academy, the proposed Naval Counter-Swarm System integrates lasers, microwave beams, and hypersonic missiles to detect and disrupt thousands of cheap, fast-moving drones. This system, described as a “digital-age Great Wall,” leverages a fused network of satellite, airborne, shipborne, and sea-surface sensors—covering radar, infrared, optical, radio frequency, and acoustic technologies—coordinated by AI to maintain continuous tracking of low-signature targets. The research highlights the vulnerability of traditional warship defenses against overwhelming drone swarms, which could potentially destroy stealth vessels. To address this, the system employs a “dynamic kill net” approach using software-defined networking and human-machine teaming, enabling real-time reassignment of
robotAIdefense-technologydrone-swarmlaser-weaponshypersonic-missilesmilitary-IoTChina's Victory Day parade showcases missiles, jets and military power
China’s Victory Day parade on September 3, 2025, marks the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II and serves as a highly choreographed demonstration of China’s expanding military capabilities. The 70-minute event in Beijing will feature over 45 formations and around 100 domestically produced military systems, including hypersonic missiles, electronic warfare platforms, counter-drone technology, directed-energy weapons, and the debut of a new unmanned sea drone. The parade also includes a traditional military review and a march-past of top military leaders, with 26 foreign dignitaries in attendance. A highlight will be the official commissioning of China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, alongside the first public static display of the stealth Chengdu J-20 fighter jet, signaling China’s growing confidence and openness about its advanced military technology. Beyond the spectacle, the parade sends a clear message to global rivals that China is prepared to fight and win future conflicts. This demonstration of power comes
military-technologyhypersonic-missilesdirected-energy-weaponsunmanned-sea-droneselectronic-warfaredefense-systemsPLA-equipmentChina’s massive military parade to debut hypersonic, nuke missiles
China is set to hold a massive military parade on September 3, 2025, in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of its victory over Japan in World War II. The 70-minute event, the largest parade in China’s history, will feature over 100 domestically produced active-duty military systems, including new strategic missiles, hypersonic weapons, unmanned systems, and advanced electronic and directed-energy warfare equipment. The parade will be conducted in two stages—a review and a march-past—with 45 formations showcasing joint operational groups that reflect real-world combat roles across land, maritime, air, missile defense, information operations, and logistics. A key highlight will be the public debut of several new hypersonic cruise missiles, notably the YJ-15, YJ-17, YJ-19, and YJ-20. These missiles represent a significant expansion of the People’s Liberation Army’s strike capabilities, particularly for maritime operations. The YJ-17 and Y
robotunmanned-systemshypersonic-missilesmilitary-technologydirected-energy-weaponselectronic-warfaredefense-systemsPutin escalates hypersonic missile production amid US-Iran-Israel war
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the serial production of the Oreshnik hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) amid escalating tensions linked to the US-Iran-Israel conflict. The Oreshnik, unveiled in November 2024 and operationally tested in Ukraine, is a road-mobile, solid-fueled missile with an estimated range of 5,500 km (3,415 miles) and speeds exceeding Mach 10. It can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, including multiple or maneuverable reentry vehicles designed to penetrate missile defenses, and boasts high precision with a circular error probable of 10 to 20 meters. This missile expands Russia’s strike capabilities following its 2019 withdrawal from the INF Treaty and is seen as a counter to US long-range precision fire deployments in Europe and Asia. Putin framed the missile’s production as part of Russia’s 2027–2036 State Armament Program, emphasizing modernization across all military branches, including upgrades to the nuclear
materialsenergymilitary-technologyhypersonic-missilesmissile-guidance-systemsdefense-technologystrategic-weaponsIran claims it confused Israel’s defenses in Monday’s missile strike
On Monday, Iran launched a significant missile strike targeting Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Haifa, resulting in the destruction of residential buildings, damage to infrastructure such as a power plant near Haifa’s port, and casualties with at least five dead and over 100 wounded. The attacks were reportedly in retaliation for Israel’s earlier airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile facilities, which killed key Iranian military leaders and caused substantial damage. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed to have employed a “new method” that confused Israel’s missile defense systems into targeting each other, achieving successful hits despite Israel’s advanced technology. Israel has not officially commented on the missile strikes but has previously acknowledged vulnerabilities in its defense systems. The conflict has escalated rapidly, with Israel continuing to target Iranian military and Revolutionary Guard command centers, resulting in heavy Iranian casualties—over 220 killed and more than 1,200 injured, mostly civilians according to Iranian sources. Iran has vowed major retaliation, warning of opening “the gates of hell.”
energymissile-defensemilitary-technologyhypersonic-missilespower-plantregional-conflictdefense-systems