What are hypersonic missiles and how does hypersonic weapon technology work?
Missiles are self-propelled precision-guided ammunition systems and essential part of a country’s defense & security. They constitute of four system components, which are targeting or missile guidance system, flight system, engine, and warhead. Missiles are classified as subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic systems depending on the speed at which they travel. Hypersonic missiles travel at speed of Mach 5 (nearly 4000 miles per hour) which is five times the speed of sound. The two types of hypersonic missiles are hypersonic guide vehicles (HGV) and hypersonic cruise missiles. Moreover, HGV consists of two rockets, which helps in guiding the boost glide weapon from upper atmosphere to outer atmosphere, and warhead. After the boost glide weapon reaches hypersonic speed, warhead get detached to hit the target. The missile follows a ballistic trajectory over most of its flight path. Furthermore, hypersonic cruise missiles are unmanned self-propelled guided vehicle which fly within...