News, Opinion, Technology, World News

THE CRAIG BUSHON SHOW INVESTIGATES “Mach 5 and the End of Air Supremacy: The Hypersonic Revolution in Global Warfare”

In a world where milliseconds define survival, the arms race has entered a new, terrifying frontier: hypersonic weaponry. These Mach 5+ missiles—traveling at over 3,800 mph—promise to shatter existing air defense systems, alter nuclear deterrence, and upend global military balance.

From the Pentagon to the People’s Liberation Army, from Moscow’s underground labs to DARPA’s whiteboard strategies, the future of warfare will no longer be measured in stealth and speed, but in impossibility to intercept. This is the new battlefield.

What Is Hypersonic Technology?

Hypersonic weapons travel at least five times the speed of sound and maneuver during flight, making them far more difficult to track and destroy than traditional ballistic missiles.

There are two primary types:

Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs): Launched via rockets, then glide at hypersonic speeds (e.g., Russia’s Avangard, China’s DF-ZF).
Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs): Use scramjet engines to sustain high speed within the atmosphere (e.g., U.S. Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile or HACM).

These weapons can strike targets with near-zero warning—breaking the fundamental assumptions behind existing missile defense systems like THAAD, Patriot, or Aegis.

Why Hypersonics Matter for Future War

Air Defense Obsolescence:
Current radar and missile systems are optimized for predictable, slower threats. Hypersonic weapons can outmaneuver and outrun virtually every modern interceptor.
Nuclear Escalation Risk:
Because these weapons can reach a target in minutes and evade early warning, they drastically reduce decision-making time in a crisis. A false alarm could provoke preemptive strikes.
Conventional Precision Strike:
They don’t have to carry nukes to be dangerous. A hypersonic missile with a kinetic payload alone could obliterate an aircraft carrier or hardened bunker.
Power Projection and Deterrence:
Nations with hypersonic capabilities can exert influence over distant regions, knowing their rivals cannot effectively retaliate.

Who Leads the Hypersonic Race?

Russia – Weaponized First

Avangard: A nuclear-capable HGV that allegedly reaches Mach 20.
Zircon: A naval hypersonic cruise missile, deployed on submarines and warships.
Kinzhal: An air-launched ballistic missile, claimed to have been used in Ukraine.

Russia views hypersonics as a strategic equalizer against NATO’s conventional superiority. However, reliability and production scale remain in question.

China – Rapid Deployment, Global Reach

DF-17: A medium-range ballistic missile carrying the DF-ZF glide vehicle, already deployed in significant numbers.
Starry Sky-2 (Xingkong-2): A wave-rider HCM tested at Mach 6.
China’s hypersonic test in July 2021—where a missile circled the globe before striking—shocked U.S. defense analysts.

China’s focus is on theater dominance (Taiwan, South China Sea) and strategic parity with the U.S.

United States – Playing Catch-Up, But With Precision

ARRW (Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon): A failed prototype under Lockheed Martin.
HACM (Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile): A joint effort with Australia, using scramjet technology.
Glide Breaker: A defensive program to counter enemy hypersonics.
Project DARPA Glide and DARPA HAWC: U.S. research has shown promise in maneuverability and thermal control.

The U.S. is investing over $15 billion into hypersonic R&D by 2027 but has yet to field a fully operational system. The delay stems from America’s desire for reliability, accuracy, and multi-mission capability, not just speed.

Others in the Race

India: Working on BrahMos II, with Russian collaboration.
France & EU: Small-scale R&D via ONERA and MBDA.
Australia & Japan: Joint projects with the U.S.

Air Defense in a Hypersonic World

The Problem:

Current defense systems (Iron Dome, Patriot, Aegis) were designed for ballistic arcs, not maneuverable hypersonic paths.

The Solutions (In Development):

Directed Energy Weapons (Lasers): Still in prototype stages, promising instant response.
Kinetic Interceptors: Glide Breaker and THAAD-ER may one day provide a partial answer.
AI-based Detection: Hypersonic speed requires split-second response; human reaction times are too slow.
Space-Based Sensors: The U.S. Space Force and Pentagon’s SDA (Space Development Agency) are deploying satellites to track hypersonic signatures.

Even then, experts admit that true defense against hypersonics may be impossible—which only increases the value of deterrence.

The Strategic Future

Hypersonics Will Reshape Deterrence Theory:
The Cold War concept of MAD (Mutual Assured Destruction) becomes less stable with weapons that can strike first and evade detection.
Preemption Becomes a Real Option:
Nations may be tempted to strike first, knowing their rivals can’t respond fast enough.
Aircraft Carriers May Become Obsolete:
Hypersonics can render $10 billion warships ineffective by striking from 2,000 km away in under 10 minutes.
Proxy Conflicts Could Escalate Faster:
A regional skirmish involving hypersonic deployment could provoke a nuclear alert before verification is even possible.

Closing Thoughts from Craig Bushon

“What we’re seeing is not just an arms race—it’s a time race. Whoever masters time—through speed, maneuverability, and first-strike capability—will dictate global power for the next century. We need to stop pretending we’re in the 1990s and start preparing for 2030 warfare. That means investing in hypersonics, defending against them, and understanding the consequences of a world where a war could be over before the president finishes breakfast.”

America, it’s time to wake up—before these weapons come screaming through our skies.