On July 18, 2022, the Pentagon announced that the United States will be spending $1.3 billion to develop satellites that are capable of tracking hypersonic missile threats. There are two new contracts that will allow the tracking and detecting systems to be in orbit by the year 2025. According to Derek Tournear, director of the Space Development Agency, the contracts provide 28 satellites that will have the ability to counter threats from China and Russia. More like this:From Washington With Love: Sending HIMARS Missiles to Ukraine

New Satellite Systems Will Track Hypersonic Missiles

There are two companies that are assigned to create the satellites: Northrop Grumman and L3Harris. Each company will create 14 satellite prototypes that have tracking layers that contain missile warning and tracking abilities. The satellites will also be designed to be able to “collect infrared data and provide network communication,” which will allow for missile tracking, identification, detection, and warning universally. The tracking layer of the missile satellite systems will be able to function even if parts are destroyed or damaged, as they’re designed to work in tandem with the mesh communication network of satellites in low-Earth orbit. Tournear told reporters on July 18, “The satellites we’re going to be launching and fielding can do that complete missile warning and missile tracking around the globe for as many missiles that could be launched against us.” Tournear also talked about the modern development of missiles in that they now have the ability to launch on rockets and travel at hypersonic speeds once they are in flight. This makes it harder to predict where the missiles are going to land. The new satellites will also allow the U.S. to be able to detect the launch of the hypersonic missile, follow it as it changes its course, calculate where it’s heading, and give information to forces who’ll be able to launch interceptors. According to Tournear, thanks to the new program, the U.S. will have a bigger number of less-expensive satellites that will be replaced every five years rather than relying on a more expensive, larger satellite that stays in orbit for 15 years or more. The program will cost approximately $2.5 billion dollars altogether, with L3Harris producing 14 satellites for about $700 million and Northrop Grumman producing 14 satellites for about $617 million.

What Is a Hypersonic Missile?

A hypersonic missile is technically nearly any missile, as they all travel at hypersonic speed. Hypersonic weapons travel five times the speed of sound, or Mach 5 – 3,800 miles per hour. They cover many miles within minutes and are hard to stop. Hypersonic systems have been used for years, and they’re difficult to defend against. The Russia hypersonic missile, Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile, is said to be able to reach Mach 10 speed – 7,672 miles per hour. Compared to the hypersonic missile speed of the U.S. Navy's long-range missile system, the U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile is significantly slower, as it travels at around 550 miles per hour and reaches 1,500 miles in distance.

Does the U.S. Have Hypersonic Missiles?

Earlier in 2022, it was agreed upon that the United States would work alongside the United Kingdom and Australia to develop a hypersonic missile. But, the United States has developed some on its own. The U.S. hypersonic missile has been developed but is not focused on as much as China and Russia focus on their hypersonic systems. The U.S. developed two hypersonic systems: the Hypersonic Conventional Strike Weapon and the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon. Since the development of the hypersonic systems, each has already gone through the U.S. hypersonic test in May of 2021. But, considering the U.S. has not focused as much on the development of the hypersonic missile, they are focusing on what they can do for protection from them. After the companies develop the first 28 satellites, it is said that there will be 54 more satellites developed and produced to further protect our nation. Related read:The Davy Crockett Nuke, Rifle or Nuclear Weapon?