The United States aims to replenish its missile supplies and develop advanced weapons for its arsenal. Mark Cancian, a retired U.S. Marines colonel and senior advisor at the CSIS Defense and Security Department, emphasizes the need for various missile types, including inexpensive options and sophisticated ones like the Patriot and hypersonic missiles.
Hypersonic weapons are gaining attention due to their capability to maneuver and travel at five times the speed of sound. Cameron Tracy, a Senior Research Scholar at UC Berkeley, highlights their perceived superiority over traditional ballistic missiles.
Defense startups are striving to make hypersonic missiles more affordable and easier to produce as the Pentagon seeks to expand its arsenal.
However, investing in hypersonic weapons comes with financial challenges. The Government Accountability Office estimates that the Army’s long-range hypersonic missiles, like the Dark Eagle, may cost over $40 million each. The Navy’s efforts to equip Zumwalt Destroyers with hypersonic weapons are estimated at $70 million per missile, factoring in development and technology integration costs. This modernization project is two years behind schedule.
Xiaodon Liang, Senior Policy Analyst for Nuclear Weapons Policy and Disarmament at the Arms Control Association, suggests costs might decrease as production increases. Current missile costs reveal stark contrasts: Tomahawk missiles cost $2.6 million, Patriot missiles almost $4 million, and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs) $1.6 million. The Navy could buy almost 27 Tomahawks for the price of one hypersonic missile on a Zumwalt Destroyer.
Liang notes that recent U.S. investments are now materializing. Hypersonic weapons, traveling up to 20 times faster than traditional missiles, reduce adversaries’ reaction time and evade defense systems effectively. According to the Atlantic Council, fewer hypersonic weapons may be needed for missions due to their capabilities.
Defense firms are working to make hypersonic weapons cheaper by enhancing testing platforms. The Army and Navy are investing in Castelion’s Blackbeard hypersonic weapon, designed for mass production. Bryon Hargis, Castelion’s CEO, emphasizes their focus on affordable manufacturing.
Castelion’s factory, Project Ranger, plans to produce thousands of Blackbeard weapons annually for integration into the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet Jets and the Army’s HIMARS.
Hypersonic systems are valued for their quick deployment and survivability, despite concerns over potential inaccuracies.
Rocket Lab is collaborating with the War Department to enhance hypersonic missile capabilities via frequent test launches. Their HASTE program aims to offer cost-effective, high-frequency testing, allowing the government to explore technology advancements more iteratively.
Despite not using hypersonic weapons yet, the U.S. has considered deploying its Dark Eagle missile to the Middle East. Liang warns against extensive use due to limited stock and concerns about munition supplies.
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