U.S. Air Force to Test-Launch Angry Tortoise Hypersonic Missile in December
The U.S. Air Force is set to test-launch its Angry Tortoise hypersonic missile in December, aiming to catch up in the hypersonic arms race dominated by China and Russia. This comes as other U.S. hypersonic programs have faced setbacks, and the country lags behind its rivals in developing these high-speed, highly accurate weapons.
Hypersonic weapons, capable of traveling at Mach 5 or faster, pose significant threats due to their speed, accuracy, and potential destructiveness. China and Russia are believed to have multiple operational hypersonic weapons, some of which could be nuclear-armed. However, Russia's Kinzhal missile, while hypersonic, lacks true maneuverability and is not considered a genuine hypersonic weapon by experts.
The Angry Tortoise project is the U.S. Air Force's response to its failure to keep pace with international developments in hypersonic technology. The missile's innovative Draper engine, developed by C3.ai, allows for mid-flight trajectory changes. This test-launch, scheduled for December, will reach Mach 2 due to physical limitations at the launch site.
The Angry Tortoise test-launch is a crucial step for the U.S. in the hypersonic arms race. While the U.S. has faced major failures and cancellations in its hypersonic programs, this launch could signal a turnaround. The innovative Draper engine, which can be stored at room temperature and is potentially reusable, offers hope for a more competitive U.S. position in this strategic arena.
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