America's new weapon against China and Russia's hypersonic missiles is hot air. As the "Politico" newspaper reports, the US Department of Defense is considering transferring balloon projects from scientific services to military ones with high-altitude surveillance objectives. In recent months, both Beijing and Moscow have tested hypersonic weapons with growing concern from the US administration.
Advantages of air balloons . These devices, which fly between 18 and 27 kilometers in altitude, will add to the vast US defense surveillance network and can be used to detect hypersonic missiles.
"High-altitude and very high-altitude platforms have many advantages for their stationing capability, maneuverability, and even flexibility for multiple payloads," Tom Karako, a researcher for the International Security Program and director of the Missile Defense Project, explained to Politico. Center for Strategic and International Studies, which deals with political, economic and international security analysis.
Money spent by the US - According to Politico, the Pentagon has spent about $3.8 million on high-flying balloon projects over the past two years. Not only that, but it plans to spend an additional $27.1 million to continue work on multiple efforts, according to budget documents.
Russian Hypersonic Missiles – The use of hypersonic weapons in war contexts is more important than ever. During the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow used two new missiles Kinzhal and Zircon. The first of the Aviation, the second of the Navy. Equipped with very high accuracy, speed and silence, these latest generation missiles are able to hit a target without being intercepted and neutralized by the enemy's anti-aircraft and missile defenses.